US President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order to waive a new package of sanctions and tariffs on Russia shortly before it was due to take effect, telling Congress it was in the US' national interest.
Trump had signed the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" into law in September in a push to increase pressure on the Kremlin and the Russian economy.
The legislation - named in honour of the late US Senator Lindsey Graham, who championed the measures - had sought to impose sanctions on Russian government and military officials, major banks, and vessels in Russia's shadow fleet. It also provided for duties on Russian goods and goods from certain countries continuing to buy Russian oil and gas.
Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev has called the decision to put the sanctions on hold a "significant and truly historic moment," adding that the package could have "brought economic cooperation between Russia and the US to a complete standstill."
Trump's move comes amid his increasing criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
It also follows a controversial announcement from Trump, who is gearing up for the US' midterm elections, earlier this month on a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to release large flows of diesel into global markets in an effort to bring down fuel prices.
"It was agreed that Russia will immediately supply over 300,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel to the American and Global Marketplace, another 500,000 Tons during the month of November, and 1,000,000 Tons immediately thereafter," Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social account. "Additionally, based on the condition of their Diesel Refineries, Russia will then deliver, within a short period of time, 3,000,000 Tons of Diesel Fuel."
Zelenskyy in Brussels
The Ukrainian leader has been in Brussels this week, where he has been meeting with European leaders to discuss the ongoing war.
Taking questions from the media on Friday, Zelenskyy was asked whether he felt he had been made a "scapegoat" for Trump's "own problems" ahead of November's midterms.
He gave a wry smile and said: "This is my answer."
Addressing the US-Russia diesel deal, Zelenskyy added that Ukraine "can’t accept diesel deals, because gas deals will come next."
"I’m absolutely sure of that," he said. "After gas, sanctions will be lifted on other things. It will eventually extend to the banking system, specific individuals, and the chemical industry. And there are risks around the frozen assets. If I don’t defend that through diplomacy – who will do it for us?"
