President Trump signed an executive order on Friday night that shelves the implementation of new sanctions on Russia passed by Congress last month, waiving most of the penalties two days before they were due to take effect.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, named after the late senator, cleared the House and Senate with bipartisan support. It targeted Russian officials, oligarchs, banks and oil and gas exports, and allowed tariffs of up to 100 percent on the biggest buyers of Russian energy and up to 500 percent on Russian goods.
Trump’s order cites “the national interests of the United States” as the reason for the waivers. The order said he had submitted a certification to Congress but did not explain the basis for the decision, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The waiver follows Trump’s deal to buy Russian diesel after a call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, part of what the White House says is an effort to lower gas prices ahead of the midterm elections.
Critics from both parties reacted quickly. Rep. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, wrote that the president “is prolonging the war, not ending it.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a co-author of the bill, called the move a betrayal of Ukraine and of America’s European allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on social media Saturday morning that easing pressure on Russia would only encourage Moscow to keep attacking.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
