US President Donald Trump has suspended new Russia sanctions and tariffs that were due to take effect on October 18, delaying a package of measures intended to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.
Trump issued an executive order on Friday waiving several provisions of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which Congress passed with bipartisan support before he signed it into law in September. The decision has drawn criticism from US lawmakers and praise from Moscow, adding to growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv.
The legislation was designed to target Russian officials, financial institutions and the network of oil tankers known as the shadow fleet, which Russia uses to transport oil despite Western restrictions. It also authorised tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from major buyers of Russian oil and natural gas, potentially exposing countries such as China and India to additional trade costs.
The restrictions were scheduled to begin on Sunday, October 18. Trump’s order suspends their implementation until his administration determines that further action is appropriate.
“I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States,” Trump stated in the executive order.
The decision comes as the administration faces concerns about the effect of further restrictions on global energy markets. Higher costs for oil and other fuels could put additional pressure on American consumers ahead of the November midterm elections. Energy prices have already risen amid the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran, adding to the political sensitivity surrounding measures that could disrupt Russian energy supplies.
Moscow welcomed the suspension. Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s investment envoy, described the decision as an “important and truly historic moment”. He argued that implementing the sanctions would have caused serious damage to international markets and economic relations between Russia and the United States.
In Washington, Democratic Representative Don Beyer criticised the president’s decision, arguing that it undermined Congress’s effort to hold Russia accountable for its invasion of Ukraine.
“Trump’s latest surrender to Putin again betrays our Ukrainian partners and defies clear congressional intent of legislation designed to punish Russia for its illegal war of aggression,” Beyer said in a statement.
The suspension follows another contentious US decision to ease restrictions on Russian diesel exports in an effort to reduce American and global fuel prices. The arrangement prompted criticism from a bipartisan group of US senators, including six Republicans, who warned that renewed Russian energy revenues could help finance Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also condemned the diesel arrangement, warning that the revenue would benefit Russia while its forces continue fighting in Ukraine. The dispute reflects a broader disagreement between Washington and Kyiv over how to balance energy prices and economic pressure on Moscow.
Relations between the two governments have also been strained by Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. Trump has repeatedly urged Ukraine to stop targeting the facilities, arguing that the strikes contribute to higher international energy prices.
The disagreement intensified after a proposed ceasefire covering attacks on energy infrastructure collapsed. Ukraine resumed strikes on Russian refineries on Thursday after Russian forces continued attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Trump subsequently described the Ukrainian operations as a “disgrace” and renewed his criticism of Zelenskyy.
Questions have also emerged over US support for Ukraine’s military operations. Ukrainian officials have reported disruptions to satellite communications used in drone operations, while Reuters reported on October 15, citing unnamed US and Western officials, that an order restricting the Starshield system originated inside the White House.
Trump has denied personally ordering the restrictions and rejected claims that Washington had halted intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
The suspension of the new sanctions adds another point of uncertainty to US policy towards Russia as the war continues. While Congress approved the legislation to increase pressure on Moscow, the administration’s decision to delay its implementation leaves the proposed measures on hold pending a further determination of US national interests.
