Trump waives several Russia sanctions two days before they were due to take effect
The executive order drew criticism from lawmakers in both parties and from Ukraine's president, while a Russian envoy praised it.
US President Donald Trump has blocked several sanctions on Russia two days before they were due to take effect, the BBC and Hindustan Times reported. He issued an executive order on Friday night saying the suspension was in the US national interest.
Congress passed the sanctions and Trump signed them into law in September, the BBC reported. Hindustan Times, citing Newsweek, named the law as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 and said it was signed on September 18. It quoted the order: "I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act."
According to the BBC, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Saturday that the suspension would be a 60-day pause to study the impact on the global economy. The Hindustan Times report did not mention a time limit.
Both outlets said the law gave Trump broad powers to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas, most significantly China and India. It also targeted senior Russian figures including Putin, Russian financial institutions and Moscow's so-called "shadow fleet". Hindustan Times added that, according to reports, the law also allows a 500 percent tariff on goods from Russia, and said the extra duties had been due to start on Sunday.
The move drew criticism from both parties. Republican Senator Thom Tillis called it "beyond irresponsible". Hindustan Times reported that he also wrote on X: "What part of enforcing a law passed 86-11 by the Senate does the President and his advisors not understand?" Republican Representative Don Bacon wrote: "The President is prolonging the war, not ending it." The BBC reported that Senator Ted Cruz, a Trump ally, said on Fox News: "I wish the president hadn't done it." Democratic Congressman Don Beyer accused Trump of capitulating to Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the sanctions "could have helped enormously". He pointed to overnight Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy sector. The BBC said 15 energy facilities were hit, while Hindustan Times said the attacks targeted more than 15. Kirill Dmitriev, a Russian envoy, called the order "an important and truly historic moment".
The waiver follows a US deal to import Russian diesel, which the BBC said strained relations between Washington and Kyiv. Hindustan Times noted that the executive order does not mention the diesel deal and that no direct link between the two has been established.
Several questions remain open, including what will happen when the 60-day pause ends. Zelensky told reporters he believed the administration would lift more sanctions on Russia. He also said Ukrainian and US negotiating teams could meet next week, according to the BBC.
