The United States President, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order suspending the implementation of a sweeping sanctions package targeting Russia’s economy, citing the national interest in a decision that has sparked condemnation from congressional Democrats.
Trump’s decision on Friday came just two days before the deadline set by the legislation for its implementation, despite the president having personally signed the bill into law last month.
AP reports that the legislation, named after the late South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham, was designed to restrict the financial resources sustaining Russia’s invasion of Ukraine through tougher sanctions against Russian officials, financial institutions and the country’s energy trade.
It also sought to impose significant economic penalties on countries continuing to purchase Russian oil and natural gas.
Trump’s unexpected decision came a week after he reportedly said the United States had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia in an effort to bring down global energy prices, a move that could undermine efforts to weaken Moscow’s ability to finance its war against Ukraine.
The decision has also come amid mounting domestic political pressure on Trump, whose approval ratings have fallen to near-historic lows, according to the report, as Republicans prepare to defend their majorities in both chambers of Congress in the November 3 midterm elections.
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The development has intensified scrutiny of the president’s foreign policy decisions, particularly his approach to Russia and Ukraine.
Graham, a close ally and friend of Trump, had long advocated tougher sanctions against Russia as a means of forcing Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
He had returned from Ukraine shortly before his unexpected death in July, prompting bipartisan lawmakers to rally behind the sanctions legislation in the aftermath of his passing.
The bill, also drafted by Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, received broad support in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urging lawmakers to advance the measures.
Trump subsequently signed the legislation into law, raising expectations that Washington would intensify economic pressure on Moscow.
However, Friday’s executive order placed the proposed sanctions on hold shortly before the deadline for their implementation.
The legislation had sought to sanction Russian government officials and banks, as well as target a so-called shadow fleet of tankers used to transport Russian energy products and sustain Moscow’s oil revenues despite existing international restrictions.
It also directed Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas.
An exception was provided for countries importing less than 15 per cent of Russia’s natural gas exports and that had taken significant steps to reduce their dependence on Russian supplies.
Supporters of the legislation argued that the measures would increase the economic cost of Russia’s continued military campaign by restricting its access to international markets and reducing the revenue available to finance the war.
Reacting to Trump’s decision, Blumenthal accused the president of abandoning Americans, lawmakers and European allies who support stronger measures against Moscow.
In a statement, the senator said Trump was turning his back on “the majority of Americans, their representatives in both houses of Congress, and our European allies.”
“These waivers have nothing to do with our national security, and everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin,” Blumenthal said.
Democratic Representative Don Beyer of Virginia also criticised the decision, saying he and other lawmakers had warned that Trump could suspend the sanctions despite the bipartisan support behind the legislation.
Beyer, who had spoken against the bill during its consideration in Congress, called for lawmakers to revisit the legislation and address weaknesses that could allow the president to abandon its intended objectives.
He urged Congress to “fix this flawed law to stop Trump from capitulating to Putin and ensure that it truly supports Ukraine.”
The White House did not immediately provide a detailed explanation of how suspending the sanctions served the national interest.
The decision was published on the White House website late Friday evening, with the accompanying notification stating that a report explaining the president’s decision had been submitted to Congress.
The suspension comes as Trump has increasingly criticised Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, blaming him for failing to reach an agreement with Putin to end the fighting.
Trump has repeatedly indicated that he wants the war brought to an end through negotiations, while his administration’s approach to relations with Moscow and support for Kyiv has continued to attract criticism from some American lawmakers and Ukraine’s allies.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration had largely remained silent following the passage of the sanctions legislation by substantial majorities in both chambers of Congress.
The bill’s advancement had gained momentum following Graham’s death, with lawmakers from both parties supporting efforts to increase pressure on Moscow and Zelenskyy urging Washington to take stronger action.
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