Understand
Trump waives several Russian sanctions following Congressional passage
Overview
US President Donald Trump has utilised his presidential authority via an executive order to block numerous sanctions on Russia that were passed by Congress to punish the country for its war on Ukraine, stating it is in the US national interest to withhold them. The decision follows a backlash from lawmakers over Trump's announcement that the US would import Russian diesel to lower energy prices ahead of the November midterm elections.
Key points
- US President Donald Trump used an executive order to block several Russia sanctions passed by Congress.
- Trump stated that withholding the sanctions serves US national interests.
- The move follows a bipartisan backlash over Trump's announcement to import Russian diesel to reduce domestic energy prices.
- The sanctions law, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, targets Russia's economy, top oil and gas purchasers, President Vladimir Putin, senior officials, financial institutions, and a shadow fleet of tankers.
- A bipartisan group of 20 US lawmakers had previously urged Trump to fully implement the sanctions law without delay.