Trump Blocks Russia Sanctions as New Legislation Takes Effect

President Donald Trump has exercised his executive authority to bypass several sanctions against Russia, just as a new congressional bill was set to take effect. Signed into law by the president in September, the legislation was intended to hold Moscow accountable for the ongoing war in Ukraine, but Trump’s Friday night executive order explicitly withheld multiple measures, asserting that full enforcement would conflict with United States national interests. Saying he was “only standing up for Ukraine’s interests”, zelensky responded.

Named in honor of the late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham—a prominent defender of Ukraine before his passing on 11 July—the law sought to place severe pressure on the Russian economy. It granted the administration broad discretion to impose tariffs reaching 100% on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, primarily targeting China and India. Additionally, the act included sanctions against President Vladimir Putin, key government officials, various financial institutions, and the specialized shadow fleet of tankers used by Moscow to skirt existing trade restrictions. And gave Trump broad powers to levy tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas – most significantly China and India, the law took aim at Russia’s economy.

The move follows a broader shift in strategy that has stoked significant internal disagreement. Just days prior, Trump announced plans to import Russian diesel to suppress domestic energy prices ahead of November’s crucial mid-term elections. This decision, aimed at easing financial burdens on voters, drew sharp disapproval from US allies who fear the deal could bolster Russia’s war effort. President Volodymyr Zelensky has characterized the diesel arrangement as an investment in the conflict, urging that it must be abandoned. On 9 October, Trump announced that he had held a phone call with Putin, and had agreed to purchase diesel from Moscow. Since the war with Iran started in February, US fuel and especially diesel prices have skyrocketed, adding to the financial pressure faced by American voters already worried about the cost of living.

A group of 20 bipartisan lawmakers expressed their opposition to the waiver in a letter issued Thursday, calling for full and faithful implementation of the Graham law. These legislators argued that consistent enforcement would be decisive in compelling Putin to engage in meaningful peace negotiations. Conversely, some Democrats have voiced strong condemnation; Virginia Congressman Don Beyer criticized the decision as a surrender to the Kremlin, suggesting it abandons Ukraine and defies the clear intent of Congress to penalize Russian aggression. And has triggered a bipartisan backlash, the plan shocked lawmakers. On Thursday, a bipartisan group of 20 US lawmakers issued a letter calling on Trump to respect the new law, which is due to take effect on 18 October.

These developments occur against a backdrop of deteriorating communication between Washington and Kyiv. On 11 October, Trump claimed a sudden energy ceasefire had been reached between the combatants, though he offered no evidence. While Zelensky expressed confusion over the assertion, he signaled a willingness to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries if Moscow reciprocated. Moscow denied the agreement, and when fighting continued, Trump labeled Ukraine’s attacks on oil infrastructure a disgrace, a stance Zelensky countered by maintaining that he is acting solely in Ukraine’s interest. After three days, Kyiv resumed its strikes.

The administration has previously leveraged the threat of withholding vital intelligence-sharing to pressure Kyiv into stopping these refinery strikes. Further complicating the situation, users reported significant performance drops on the Starlink satellite network earlier in the week. Zelensky confirmed that the service slowdown arrived during a series of lethal Russian strikes, calling it an unpleasant and dangerous surprise. As of Friday, the Ukrainian president reported that network speeds remained inconsistent.

International support for Ukraine remains a central focus for NATO partners. Plans are moving forward for a major military exercise in Poland next month, involving hundreds of troops from the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized that the drills are intended to ensure ongoing readiness for military training and the eventual post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Watch: Will Ukraine get the support needed as tensions with US rise. Additional reporting by Helen Sullivan.