Trump puts on hold new Russia sanctions he signed into law | Donald Trump News
Trump Suspends Sanctions on Russia Days Before Deadline
US president’s executive order follows recent diesel agreement with Moscow
Published On Oct. 17, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a temporary suspension of a comprehensive Russian sanctions package, which he signed into law last month, citing national interest. The executive order was signed on Friday, just two days before the sanctions were set to take effect.
The legislation, named in honor of the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, passed with significant bipartisan support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Graham, who returned from Ukraine prior to his unexpected passing in July, co-authored the bill with Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal. The law aims to financially incapacitate Moscow by imposing sanctions on Russian officials, banks, and a network of tankers transporting its energy resources.
Moreover, the law mandated tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas, excluding countries that import less than 15 percent of Russia’s natural gas exports and are actively reducing that dependency.
The decision to suspend the sanctions follows Trump’s recent announcement that the U.S. has entered an agreement to purchase diesel from Russia, an effort he claims is intended to lower global fuel prices. This move has drawn criticism from members of both parties, who argue that it may inadvertently support Russia’s military actions without effectively addressing fuel costs.
Democratic Representative Don Beyer expressed concern over the diesel agreement, suggesting it would assist Russian efforts in the ongoing conflict while failing to provide relief at the pump. Beyer called on Congress to amend the law to prevent what he termed Trump’s capitulation to President Vladimir Putin and to better support Ukraine.
Trump has also intensified his criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for not securing a resolution with Russia. As the November 3 midterm elections approach, a recent AP-NORC poll indicates a decline in public approval for Trump’s handling of various issues, including the ongoing situation in Iran, with many voters citing rising prices as a significant concern.
