Trump waives Russia sanctions before Sunday deadline — SkimNews
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- Trump issued a Friday night executive order waiving numerous Russia sanctions due to take effect Sunday (18 October), citing US 'national interests'
- The Graham Act sanctions law — honoring the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died 11 July — authorized up to 100% tariffs on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, most significantly China and India
- The law also targeted Putin, senior Russian government officials, banks, financial institutions, and Russia's 'shadow fleet' of sanctions-evading tankers
- Days earlier, Trump announced a deal to import Russian diesel to lower US energy prices before November's midterm elections, triggering bipartisan backlash
- 20 bipartisan US lawmakers issued a Thursday letter urging Trump to fully implement the law, calling it 'decisive in forcing Putin to take peace talks seriously'
- Ukrainian President Zelensky called the diesel deal a gift to Putin amounting to 'an investment in a war that must be ended'
Why it matters: Trump signed a bipartisan sanctions law in September, then voided its core provisions hours before enforcement — shielding Russia from the 100% tariffs aimed at China and India that would have crippled Moscow's oil revenues. With 20 bipartisan lawmakers publicly demanding full implementation, the move sets up a confrontation over executive versus legislative war powers weeks before midterm elections.
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