Trump waives several new Russia sanctions as US law is due to take effect

US President Donald Trump has used his presidential authority to suspend numerous sanctions on Russia that Congress recently passed to punish Moscow for its war on Ukraine. In an executive order issued on Friday night, he said withholding some of the measures serves US "national interests". The sanctions law was due to take effect on Sunday, 18 October.

Trump signed the bill in September. It is named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who died on 11 July and was one of Ukraine's staunchest defenders in Washington.

What the law provides

The law targets the Russian economy. It gives Trump broad powers to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas, most notably China and India. It also provides for sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior government figures, banks and other financial institutions, and Russia's "shadow fleet" of tankers used to get around existing sanctions.

Backlash in Washington

On Thursday, a bipartisan group of 20 US lawmakers sent a letter urging Trump to respect the new law. They thanked him for signing it and called for its "full and faithful implementation", saying it would be "decisive in forcing Putin to take peace talks seriously".

Last week Trump said he had held a phone call with Putin and agreed to buy diesel from Moscow. The plan is reportedly meant to lower US energy prices before the November midterm elections, which will decide which party controls Congress. It surprised lawmakers and prompted bipartisan criticism. US allies also objected, concerned that it could aid Russia's war effort. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal a gift to Putin and "an investment in a war that must be ended".