Trump suspends sanctions that Congress put on Russia
The President wrote to Congress that the move was in the national interest, undoing legislation he signed just last month and named in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
TL;DR
- Donald Trump has suspended sanctions against Russia that were recently enacted by Congress.
- The move reverses legislation signed last month, named in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
- Trump cited national interest as the reason for suspending the sanctions, aligning with a recent agreement to purchase diesel fuel from Russia.
- Democrats, including Richard Blumenthal and Don Beyer, strongly condemned the decision, accusing Trump of appeasing Vladimir Putin.
- The original legislation aimed to cut off financial resources fueling Russia's war in Ukraine.
- Critics argue the diesel deal with Russia will not significantly impact global prices and may aid Russia's war effort.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the diesel deal as a 'gift to Putin'.
- The suspension occurs as Trump's approval ratings have reportedly sunk due to gas prices and the war in Iran.
- Darline Graham, running for Lindsey Graham's seat, had previously celebrated the sanctions bill as a key achievement.