President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 16, 2026, waiving key sanctions and tariffs on Russia that were set to take effect under a law passed by the US Congress last month. The legislation, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was designed to increase economic pressure on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine, targeting officials, oligarchs, financial institutions, and imposing tariffs on goods from major importers of Russian crude oil or gas.
Trump’s order exempts Russia from the new penalties, including duties on Russian goods and sanctions against countries purchasing Russian oil and gas. The waiver is to remain in effect until the administration decides otherwise. In the executive order, Trump stated that issuing the waiver is in the national interests of the United States, but did not provide further explanation for this determination.
The decision follows recent moves by Trump to ease tensions with Russia, alongside public criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Analysts suggest the waiver aims to prevent further increases in global fuel prices, which have been rising amid ongoing conflicts, including the US-Israeli military actions in Iran and disruptions in critical oil supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. Some experts note that constraints on diesel supplies remain a significant factor behind rising energy costs worldwide.
The sanctions law, overwhelmingly supported in Congress and championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, sought to impose tariffs of up to 100% within 30 days on goods imported into the US from the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas and on countries aiding Russia in circumventing existing sanctions. However, the law also grants the president authority to waive these measures by notifying Congress with a certification that the waiver aligns with national interests, a power Trump exercised shortly before the sanctions were to be enforced.
The waiver has drawn criticism from members of Congress, particularly Democrats, who argue that it undermines US efforts to hold Russia accountable for its military aggression. Representative Don Beyer described the move as a “surrender” to President Vladimir Putin that betrays Ukraine and disregards congressional intent. Some Republican senators have also expressed concerns, particularly regarding a recent diesel supply agreement between the US and Russia, which involved lifting certain sanctions in exchange for increased Russian diesel exports to global markets. Critics contend the arrangement could indirectly finance Russia’s war efforts.
International reactions to the sanctions legislation were mixed before the waiver. India, one of the largest purchasers of Russian oil, voiced worries that the tariffs could strain bilateral relations with the US. China opposed what it termed "long-arm jurisdiction" lacking grounding in international law. Meanwhile, Kirill Dmitriev, Russia’s investment envoy, welcomed Trump’s waiver as a historic step that could preserve economic cooperation between Moscow and Washington.
The Trump administration’s approach reflects a complex balancing act between exerting pressure on Russia over the Ukraine conflict and managing economic and geopolitical dynamics affecting energy markets and international relations. The waiver delays the implementation of these sanctions and tariffs at a critical moment ahead of the US midterm elections, where energy prices remain a key voter concern.