US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order suspending the implementation of sweeping sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia and major buyers of its oil and gas, reversing a key measure he signed into law last month.
The order waives sanctions and restrictions provided for under the Lindsey Graham Act, legislation named after the late US senator who sponsored the bill. The law gave Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas.
“As described further in section 4 of this order, I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” the executive order stated.
The legislation was designed to increase pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine by targeting Russia’s energy and defence sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials. It also targeted Russia’s so-called shadow fleet of oil tankers, which Moscow uses to circumvent Western sanctions.
Trump’s decision to suspend the measures comes after a controversial agreement with Putin that would allow Russian diesel exports in exchange for the easing of certain US sanctions.
The move has further strained relations between Washington and Kyiv, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticising the agreement as a “weak decision”.
Following the deal, Ukrainian forces resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries, adding to tensions surrounding efforts to pressure Moscow over its war against Ukraine.
The waiver marks a significant shift in Trump’s approach to Russia-related economic restrictions, raising fresh questions about Washington’s strategy towards Moscow and its support for Ukraine.
Source: AFP
