Trump Suspends New Sanctions on Russia Citing National Interest

Trump personally signed the law last month, just two days before the deadline set in the legislation for its implementation. The law, named after the late senator from South Carolina Lindsey Graham, aimed to more swiftly tighten the noose on the flow of financial resources fueling the war against Ukraine.

This move comes a week after Trump unexpectedly announced that the United States had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia in an attempt to lower global energy prices, despite the potential harm this could cause Ukraine in its war with Russia.

A poll conducted by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and published on October 1 showed that Americans disapprove of the president’s handling of the Iran war and blame him for rising prices. Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to near-historic lows, and pressure is mounting as Republicans seek to control both chambers of Congress following the midterm elections on November 3.

The package aimed to deprive Russian President Vladimir Putin of the resources Moscow needs to continue its war in Ukraine, more than four years after invading its neighbor. The law, also drafted by Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, seeks to impose sanctions on Russian officials, banks, and the shadow fleet of tankers that sustain Russian energy flows.

The law also directed Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian oil and natural gas, except for countries that import less than 15% of Russian natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those imports.

The White House did not immediately clarify how the suspension of sanctions could be in the national interest. The decision was posted on the White House website late in the evening, and the notice indicated that the report justifying the decision had been submitted to Congress.