Trump waives several Russia sanctions as new US law takes effect

US President Donald Trump has utilized his presidential authority to block numerous sanctions on Russia that were recently passed by the US Congress in an effort to punish the country for its ongoing war on Ukraine. In an executive order issued on Friday night, Trump stated that it is in the US national interest to withhold some of the provisions contained within the legislation.

The sanctions bill was originally signed into law by Trump in September and was scheduled to take effect on Sunday. However, the decision to waive key parts of the measure comes just days after the administration announced plans to import Russian diesel in an attempt to lower domestic energy prices ahead of the upcoming midterm elections in November, which will ultimately determine control of Congress. This unexpected energy plan shocked lawmakers from both sides of the aisle and triggered an immediate bipartisan backlash.

The legislation itself is named in honor of the late Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, who was widely recognized as one of Ukraine's staunchest defenders in Washington before his passing in July. The comprehensive law was designed to strike directly at the Russian economy and granted the president broad powers to levy tariffs of up to 100 percent on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and natural gas, most notably major buyers such as China and India.

Furthermore, the Graham law includes stringent sanctions targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior figures within the Russian government, major banks and financial institutions, and Russia's so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers used to circumvent existing international restrictions. Just days prior to the executive order, a bipartisan group of 20 US lawmakers issued a formal letter urging Trump to respect the new law and ensure its full implementation without delay, arguing that it would be decisive in forcing Moscow to take peace talks seriously.

Despite these congressional appeals, the administration moved forward with the waivers. Last week, Trump also announced that he had held a phone call with Vladimir Putin and agreed to purchase diesel from Moscow, a move that drew swift criticism from international allies who feared it would inadvertently aid the Russian war effort. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly criticized the arrangement, describing the diesel deal as a direct gift to Putin and an investment in a conflict that must be brought to an end. The unfolding situation highlights ongoing tensions between executive priorities regarding domestic economic pressures and legislative efforts to exert maximum pressure on Moscow.