Trump waives Russia sanctions and faces bipartisan backlash

Summarised from 3 outlets · 7 reports · Updated 21 Oct, 08:51 · Archive

President Trump has waived sanctions on Russia approved by Congress, drawing criticism from Democrats and Republicans.

President Trump waived sanctions on Russia imposed through legislation named after late senator Lindsey Graham, which Trump had signed into law in September. The sanctions were scheduled to take effect two days after Trump's decision to waive them. The law gave Trump authority to waive the sanctions if he certified to Congress that doing so was 'in the national interests of the United States'.

The economic restrictions were intended to penalize top Russian figures and major buyers of Russian oil and gas as the US sought to end Russia's four-year war in Ukraine. Trump also announced a separate deal to import diesel fuel from Russia, which he said was necessary to bring down fuel prices ahead of midterm elections.

The decisions have prompted backlash from both parties. Republican congressman Don Bacon condemned the actions as 'absolutely disgraceful' and accused Trump of 'cozying up to a war criminal'. Bacon told CNN that 'the president's leverage in this Congress is shot' and that many Republicans shared his concerns. CBS News reported that Democrats are also criticising the move.

Trump has defended his position, telling reporters on Monday that 'Russia has been fine on Ukraine, they haven't been doing much' and that 'we've given a lot to Ukraine, they've given us nothing'. He has also stepped up criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, suggesting the Ukrainian leader does not want to end the war and should step down.

Zelenskyy said in an interview with Bloomberg that he believed Trump was taking steps to 'convince Ukraine to capitulate' to Russian demands. Ukrainian officials also reported that Russia had recently struck energy infrastructure, medical clinics, schools, metro stations and residential buildings.

A BBC Moscow correspondent said the developments have left Russia 'absolutely delighted', suggesting the situation would have convinced Vladimir Putin that he could win the war.

How it is being reported

• BBC Expert Explains How Donald Trump Has 'Delighted' Russia Over Ukraine WarDonald Trump greets Vladimir Putin in Alaska last year. Donald Trump has left Russia “absolutely delighted” over his new approach to the war in Ukraine , according to a BBC expert. Steve Rosenberg, the corporation’s Moscow correspondent, said Vladimir Putin’s “Christmases have come at once” thanks to the US president. Trump stunned the world two weeks ago by agreeing a sanctions-busting deal to buy diesel from Russia in a bid to bring down pump prices in America ahead of next month’s midterm elections. He has also stepped up his attacks on Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky , who he has…HuffPost UK · 21 Oct, 08:36
• Republicans push back on Donald Trump’s wavering support for UkraineGOP lawmakers threaten to pull support for president’s agenda after Russia diesel deal and sanctions pause US politics live – latest updates A handful of Republicans have spoken out against Donald Trump ’s softening stance on Russia , threatening to pull financial support for his agenda over his “embarrassing” handling of the Ukraine war. Don Bacon, an outgoing congressman in Nebraska, condemned Trump’s actions – which include a stunning agreement to buy Russian diesel and the pausing of sanctions on Moscow – as “absolutely disgraceful” and accused the US president of cozying up to a “war…Guardian World · 20 Oct, 18:32
• Trump's Ukraine rebuke after backlash over his Russia moves: "They've given nothing to us"President Trump is facing backlash from Democrats and Republicans for his decision to waive certain sanctions on Russia amid a diesel deal. CBS News' Aaron Navarro reports.CBS News · 20 Oct, 14:02
• Trump faces bipartisan backlash over waiving Russia sanctionsPresident Trump is defending his decision to waive sanctions, which will refill Russia's pocketbooks as it attacks Ukraine.CBS News · 19 Oct, 22:00
• Trump faces backlash over his decision to help RussiaPresident Trump is fielding bipartisan backlash over his latest decision on Russian sanctions that appear to be a benefit for Moscow in the war against Ukraine. CBS News' Weijia Jiang reports.CBS News · 19 Oct, 17:22
• Trump gives reason for waiving sanctions against RussiaPresident Trump decided to stop sanctions against Russia that were expected to take effect on Sunday. This comes as the war with Ukraine enters a critical phase during the winter. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio reports.CBS News · 19 Oct, 16:50
• Trump's unexpected move to stop new Russian sanctionsPresident Trump waived sanctions on Russia that were expected to take effect on Sunday, including those on Moscow's oil sector. CBS News' Weijia Jiang reports.CBS News · 19 Oct, 14:52

In this story: Donald Trump · Vladimir Putin · Volodymyr Zelenskyy · Lindsey Graham · Don Bacon · Russia · Ukraine · United States

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