Trump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold amid deepening row with Ukraine
President signed the legislation championed by late senator Lindsey Graham last month but has waived the restrictions as they were due to come into effect
TL;DR
- Donald Trump has put on hold a new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, passed by Congress.
- Trump cited national interest for pausing the legislation, which included sanctions on Russian officials, banks, and energy shipments.
- The decision comes amid Trump's public criticism of Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and a recent deal for the US to buy diesel from Russia.
- A dozen US senators, including Republicans, have criticized the diesel deal and urged Trump to implement the sanctions.
- The legislation, named the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," had an implementation deadline of October 18th.
- Zelenskyy stated that the diesel deal would result in "cash flowing back into Russia."