Trump waives several Russian sanctions as new US law takes effect
US President Donald Trump has used 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 war on Ukraine.
TL;DR
- President Trump issued an executive order to withhold some sanctions on Russia, stating it's in the US's "national interests."
- The sanctions were part of a bill signed into law by Trump in September, intended to punish Russia for its war on Ukraine.
- A bipartisan group of 20 US lawmakers urged Trump to fully implement the sanctions, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
- The sanctions law targets Russia's economy, including potential tariffs on Russian oil and gas purchasers, and sanctions against Putin and Russian financial institutions.
- Trump's decision comes days after agreeing to import Russian diesel, a move criticized by allies and Ukrainian President Zelensky as a "gift to Putin."