In brief
President Donald Trump signed an executive order last night to suspend a portion of a sanctions bill that Congress just passed to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine. The move comes after Trump announced plans to import Russian diesel to lower U.S. fuel prices before the upcoming mid‑term elections, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and allies. The legislation, known as the Lindsey Graham law, gave the president broad powers to impose up to a 100% tariff on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, such as China and India, and targeted top officials, banks and the secretive tank‑er fleet that circumnavigates existing sanctions. A bipartisan group of twenty senators urged Trump to fully enforce the new law, warning the easing of sanctions could aid Putin’s war effort and signaling a potential split in U.S. strategy on Russia. As the legal framework takes effect, the Trump administration faces increasing pressure from Congress and foreign partners to honor the sanctions while it navigates domestic energy concerns.
On Friday, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that effectively sidestepped a significant portion of a sanctions package Congress just enacted to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine. The law, dubbed the Lindsey Graham bill, was set to take effect this morning, but the president withheld several of its provisions, citing national interest.
The move follows Trump’s recent announcement that the United States will import Russian diesel to curb domestic fuel prices ahead of the mid‑term elections slated for November. The decision has shocked lawmakers and prompted a bipartisan backlash from Happy Democrats and Republicans alike.
Under the Graham law, the president gained nearly unfettered authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, with China and India occupying the prime slots. Beyond the tariffs, the bill also targeted top Kremlin officials, banks, and the array of offshore tankers used to skirt existing sanctions.
A letter from twenty Senators referenced the soviet passer, urging the president to "fully and faithfully implement the law" in order to press Putin into serious peace talks. “The delay would be a signal to the Russian leadership that we will not be able to shake off the consequences of their aggression,” the letter said.
Following an earlier telephone conversation with President Vladimir Putin, Trump has now agreed to purchase diesel from Moscow. The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from U.S. allies who fear it will bolster Russia’s war machine; President Volodymyr Zelensky even called the deal an "investment in a war that must end."
