Trump Waives Russia Sanctions, Provoking Bipartisan Congressional Condemnation

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s decision to indefinitely suspend upcoming sanctions against Russia sparked immediate and vehement criticism from Capitol Hill on Saturday. The sanctions, enacted under the bipartisan “Lindsey Graham Russia Sanctions Act,” were slated to take effect the following day, targeting Russian economic activities that fund the war in Ukraine.

Legislators from both parties described the executive order as a capitulation to President Vladimir Putin and a setback for U.S. support of Ukraine. “I think it’s clear Russia is the aggressor, and we’ve got to do everything we can to put economic pressure on Russia,” said Senator Rick Scott (R‑Fla.). Senator Thom Tillis (R‑N.C.) called the move “beyond irresponsible,” while Senator Elizabeth Warren (D‑Mass.) accused Trump of “thumbing his nose” at Congress and “enabling Vladimir Putin to continue his war of aggression.” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) likened the waiver to “giving the Russian economy life support.”

The sanctions were a cornerstone of a package approved 86‑11 in the Senate after extensive work by the late Senator Lindsey Graham (R‑S.C.). The legislation aimed to impose steep tariffs on countries importing large volumes of Russian oil and energy, curbing funds for Putin’s campaign against Ukraine. Trump’s reversal follows a recent diesel‑fuel agreement with Russia, which the administration framed as an effort to ease soaring U.S. fuel prices ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.

House Foreign Affairs Committee ranking Democrat Gregory Meeks (N.Y.) introduced legislation on Friday to block the diesel deal, calling it “corrupt” and “goes against everything the United States stands for.” He vowed that “Congress is not helpless” and must act to halt the arrangement.

The next legislative steps are uncertain, as both chambers are in recess until after Election Day. Trump justified the waiver on national‑security grounds and said it would remain in place indefinitely. Critics warned that the move undermines the will of a bipartisan Congress and weakens pressure on Moscow as Ukraine faces a harsh winter with ongoing Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.

Updated 3 min 49 sec ago

October 18, 2026 03:25

Source link