President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on Friday waiving a sweeping sanctions package against Russia, citing national interest.
The Executive Order targeted a bill named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who championed the effort before his unexpected death in July.
The legislation, which was signed by Trump last month, imposes a range of punishing tariffs and sanctions against Russian exports and leaders, and is designed to stifle Russia’s war machine as it wages its war against Ukraine. It also targets the world’s top five buyers of Russian oil and gas and extends sanctions against Iran.
Trump’s decision to waive the law two days before it was due to take effect offers economic relief to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Earlier this month, Trump announced the U.S. would import diesel from Russia in a bid to lower energy prices, in a move that drew immediate condemnation from Democrats and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In Friday’s Executive Order, Trump did not elaborate on the national interests behind the move, but said he would waive the application of such “sanctions, restrictions and duties provided for in the Graham Act.”
“I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States,” it stated. The White House did not immediately reply to an overnight request for comment.
Trump is facing pressure over diesel prices ahead of next months’ midterms, in which the high cost of living has emerged as a top concern for voters. The deal with Russia to supply diesel fuel to the global marketplace could ease prices, but effectively aligns Washington with Moscow.
Russia launched its war against Ukraine in 2022, and the U.S. and its European allies have largely been concerted in their support for Ukraine, but that alliance has grown uneasy under Trump, who has shown public frustration with Zelensky, blaming him for not settling the war with Russia.
Friday’s decision drew swift condemnation from some Democrats. “Trump’s latest surrender to Putin again betrays our Ukrainian partners and defies clear congressional intent of legislation designed to punish Russia for its illegal war of aggression,” Don Beyer (D-Virginia) said in a post on X.
“These waivers have nothing to do with our national security, & everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal ((D-Connecticut) said early Saturday. “I hope my Republican colleagues will join me in condemning this craven, cowardly action,” he wrote.
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