Trump pauses new Russia sanctions amid deepening dispute with Ukraine

Donald Trump has paused new Russia sanctions approved by the US Congress, saying in an executive order on Friday that waiving the measures was in the national interest. The decision came as the president publicly criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The package was due to be implemented in two days. It targets Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers used to move Russian energy.

Sanctions and energy tariffs

The law also directs Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas. An exception applies to countries importing less than 15% of Russia’s gas exports that have taken significant steps to reduce those imports.

The legislation, named after Senator Lindsey Graham, passed both chambers of Congress last month in a rare bipartisan agreement. Trump had until October 18 to impose the sanctions and tariffs or waive them.

Proposed Russian diesel purchases

The announcement followed Trump’s statement a week earlier that the US had agreed to buy diesel from Russia to reduce global energy prices. He said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tons, followed by 500,000 tons in November, 1m tons “immediately thereafter” and another 3m tons “within a short period of time”.

A dozen US senators, including six Republicans, urged Trump to cancel the diesel deal and use the sanctions authorities in the legislation.

Responses from Moscow and Kyiv

Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev called the suspension of the law “an important and truly historic moment”.

Zelenskyy said on Friday that the diesel deal would send money back to Russia. Trump has also said Ukraine and Russia agreed not to target each other’s energy facilities, while blaming Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for higher energy prices.

Reports that the administration may be withholding intelligence from Ukraine and restricting the military version of Starlink have not been officially confirmed.