Trump Waives Several Russian Sanctions as New US Law Takes Effect
BBC News
US President Donald Trump has used his presidential authority to block numerous sanctions on Russia that were recently passed by the US Congress in an effort to punish the country for its war on Ukraine.
In an executive order on Friday night, Trump stated that it is in the US "national interests" to withhold some of the sanctions. This comes after he signed the sanctions bill into law in September, set to take effect on Sunday.
This decision follows Trump's previous announcement to import Russian diesel to lower US energy prices before the midterm elections. This plan sparked a bipartisan backlash from lawmakers.
The US sanctions law, named after Senator Lindsey Graham, targets Russian economy and provides Trump with the power to levy tariffs on Russia's top oil and gas purchasers. It also includes sanctions against President Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials, banks, and institutions.
On Thursday, a group of 20 US lawmakers urged Trump to respect the new law, emphasizing its importance in pressuring Putin to engage in peace talks.
Last week, Trump revealed a phone call with Putin and his agreement to purchase diesel from Russia, a move criticized by US allies and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.