Politics · 2026-10-18 · Morning briefing
US suspends Russia sanctions, drawing Ukrainian condemnation
President Donald Trump suspended new duties on Russian goods and major energy buyers, signing an executive order late on Friday. The action invoked a national-interest waiver under the Graham Act just two days before the sanctions package was due to be implemented.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the decision on Saturday, calling it "wrong" and stating it "definitely helps only the Russians." He added that it "fuels their satisfaction and their desire to keep killing people." Democrats in the U.S. also criticised the waiver.
In a formal certification to Congress, Mr Trump declared the waiver was "in the national interests of the United States." The move follows a separate, temporary easing of sanctions on Russian diesel exports.
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- Trump suspends Russia sanctions as deadly attacks plunge Ukraine into darkness
- Trump's waiver of sanctions on Russia stirs bipartisan outrage
- Trump doubles down after waiving new Russia sanctions, calling it a ‘very good decision’
- Trump Waives Russia Sanctions to Flood Global Diesel Markets: What Zelensky Says Comes Next
- Trump waives several Russia sanctions as rift with Zelensky deepens
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