Trump waives Russia sanctions citing national security

Summarised from 7 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 03:50 · Archive

President Trump has waived sanctions on Russia that were set to take effect, citing national security interests.

President Trump signed an executive order on Friday waiving sanctions on Russia that were scheduled to take effect. Trump certified to Congress that the pause was in the national interests of the United States, invoking a provision in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act that allows the president to waive portions of the law if he makes such a certification.

The law, championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham and passed with bipartisan majorities in Congress, would have imposed tariffs of up to 100 per cent within 30 days on goods from the world's five largest importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas. It also included 500 per cent tariffs on Russian goods and other sanctions measures aimed at pressuring Russia over its war with Ukraine. These measures were set to take effect on Sunday.

Trump's waiver halted the 100 per cent tariffs on the largest buyers of Russian energy, the 500 per cent tariffs on Russian goods, and certain other sanctions. He said the waivers will remain in place until his administration determines that further action is appropriate and directed officials to monitor countries importing Russian energy or evading sanctions.

The law targeted the world's largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including China, India and Turkey. India, one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil, was among countries that had raised concerns about the sanctions bill.

The action comes one week after Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to import diesel to the United States. Trump said Russia would immediately supply over 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November, 1 million tons thereafter, and 3 million tons "within a short period of time" after that. Trump said the deal was intended to bring down global energy prices.

Trump had signed the Graham sanctions legislation in mid-September. The measure had sought to clamp down more quickly on financial resources fueling Russia's war against Ukraine and had become a priority for lawmakers including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky.

How it is being reported

• Trump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold amid deepening row with UkrainePresident signed the legislation championed by late senator Lindsey Graham last month but has waived the restrictions as they were due to come into effect Donald Trump has put on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause on the legislation passed by both chambers was in the national interest. In an executive order on Friday, the US president said he was waiving many sanctions, restrictions and duties on Russia, in a move that comes as he has been publicly criticising Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, including suggesting that…The Guardian · 17 Oct, 03:53
• Trump waives several Russia sanctions as new US law takes effectTrump says parts of a new law that aims to punish Moscow for its war against Ukraine are against US national interests.BBC News · 17 Oct, 03:48
• Trump waives tariffs on largest buyers of Russian oilPresident Trump prevented some new sanctions on Russia and hefty tariffs on large-scale buyers of Russian oil from taking effect late Friday, as he seeks to ease prices by tapping Russian energy.CBS News · 17 Oct, 03:38
• Trump exempts Russia from further sanctions mandated by new lawUS president gives Putin a reprieve on threatened energy measures after cutting deal with Moscow to release dieselFinancial Times · 17 Oct, 03:31
• Donald Trump waives many Russia-related sanctions just days before they were due to take effectDonald Trump has announced plans to waive many Russia-related sanctions, restrictions, and duties just days before they were due to take effect under a bill he signed into law last month. The President's executive order comes as he has been warming toward Russia and publicly criticising Volodymyr Zelensky, including suggesting that Ukraine needs a new leader. The legislation, whose primary backer in Congress was the late Senator Lindsey Graham, would have imposed tariffs of up to 100 per cent within 30 days on all goods brought into the US from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil…GB News · 17 Oct, 03:30
• Trump puts Russia sanctions package on hold, says pause is in national interestPresident Trump paused a congressional Russia sanctions package in the national interest, shortly after announcing a deal for Russian diesel.New York Post · 17 Oct, 03:25
• Trump puts new Russia sanctions on holdThe US president cited national interests for his decision to sign a waiver on sanctions Congress voted to place on Russia.DW News · 17 Oct, 03:09

In this story: Donald Trump · Lindsey Graham · Vladimir Putin · Volodymyr Zelensky · Russia · United States · India · Ukraine

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem