Trump Waives New Russia Sanctions Law He Signed Last Month, Citing 'National Interests'
The executive order puts on hold tariffs and penalties aimed at the biggest buyers of Russian oil and gas. Zelenskyy called it a reward for Putin, and senators from both parties objected.
By Watchman Report staff ·
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday waiving sweeping new sanctions against Russia that Congress passed and that he signed into law just last month, arguing that the move "is in the national interests of the United States," NBC News reported. The law, named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, took aim at the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas and let the president impose tariffs on goods from those countries, which may include China and India. It passed the Senate 86-11. Reuters reported that the waiver came before many of the sanctions and tariffs were set to take effect.
The decision followed Trump's announcement last week of a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to release hundreds of thousands of tons of Russian diesel fuel onto the global market. Diesel prices have risen almost 70% since the Iran war began in February, NBC reported, and Trump has blamed Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil and gas facilities for higher fuel costs. The law requires the administration to send Congress an unclassified report explaining any waiver; Trump's order says the White House has sent it.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that lifting the sanctions was "wrong" and "only helps the Russians," calling the weaker pressure "effectively serving as a financial reward for Putin." Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., called the move "beyond irresponsible," Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called it a "craven, cowardly action," and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, wrote, "Lindsey would be appalled." Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., the late senator's sister and a co-sponsor of the bill, had not criticized the president, NBC reported.
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