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Donald Trump Puts Lindsey Graham Russia Sanctions Package On Hold, Citing National Interest

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Trump signs executive order suspending the Lindsey Graham sanctions package on Russia, citing national interest. Sanctions take effect in law last month but are paused just days before implementation deadlines.

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Donald Trump Puts Lindsey Graham Russia Sanctions Package On Hold, Citing National Interest
Image: 조선일보

Trump pauses Russia sanctions

President Donald Trump signed an executive order that put on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause was in the national interest.

The AP reported that Trump’s move came just two days before a deadline set in the law itself for its implementation, and it drew shift condemnation from congressional Democrats.

Image from Aajil
Image: Aajil

The legislation, named after late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, had sought to clamp down more quickly on the flow of financial resources fueling the war against Ukraine.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal said in a statement that Trump was turning his back on “the majority of Americans, their representatives in both houses of Congress, and our European allies.”

Democratic Virginia Rep. Don Beyer called on Congress to “fix this flawed law to stop Trump from capitulating to Putin and ensure that it truly supports Ukraine.”

Reporting for this sectionAP News

Diesel deal and backlash

The AP said Trump’s unexpected decision came a week after he said the U.S. had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia to try to bring down global energy prices, despite potentially hurting Ukraine in its war with Russia. The AP reported that under last week’s agreement, Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons “immediately thereafter.”

Al Jazeera said Zelenskyy slammed Trump’s diesel deal as “a gift” to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin that will help fund his war effort. Al Jazeera said US Congressman Don Beyer described the sanctions waiver as a “surrender to Putin” that “betrays our Ukrainian partners and defies clear congressional intent.”

Image from Al Jazeera
Image: Al Jazeera
Reporting for this sectionAP NewsAl Jazeera

Tariffs, exemptions, and stakes

The AP said the bill directed Trump to impose up to 100% tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries that import less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those imports.

Al Jazeera said Trump’s executive order called off numerous planned Russia-related sanctions days before they were due to take effect, including duties on Russian goods and penalties for buying the country’s oil and gas.

Al Jazeera said the waiver will hold until the Trump administration believes “further action is appropriate”, according to the executive order.

Al Jazeera said European leaders in a joint statement adopted following a two-day European Council meeting in Brussels regretted the United States’ decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel.

The AP said pressure is mounting as Republicans try to hold control of both chambers of Congress after midterm elections on Nov. 3, with Trump’s approval ratings sunk to near-historic lows.

Reporting for this sectionAP NewsAl Jazeera