On Friday, Donald Trump issued an executive order to suspend key sanctions and tariffs under the Lindsey Graham Act against Russia, just two days before they were set to take effect, according to reports from CNN and Reuters.
This action provoked criticism from both sides of the aisle in Congress, further straining the already delicate ties between Washington and Kyiv.
Reasons Behind the Suspension
In the executive order, Trump claimed the suspension was in the "national interest of the United States," yet he did not provide specific reasons for this decision.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that this is a temporary pause of up to 60 days to assess the global economic impact of the sanctions.
A Law Enacted and Suspended Within a Month
The legislation, named in honor of late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham who passed away in July at 71, was signed into law by Trump on September 18, only 29 days before being suspended.
The act authorized tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas — including China and India — and included sanctions against high-ranking Russian officials, such as Putin, financial institutions, and Moscow's "shadow fleet."
The Senate had passed it with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 86, following an expedited process after Senator Graham's death.
Zelensky Condemns the Decision Amid Russian Attacks
The suspension coincided with one of Russia's most significant assaults on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. Over 320 drones and missiles targeted more than 15 facilities across 10 regions, leaving Vinnytsia without power and affecting over 500,000 customers.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the decision, stating: "At a time when Russians have launched such a massive attack on our energy sector, unfortunately, a decision was made in the United States to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to exert really effective pressure on Russia to end this war."
Zelensky also warned that "Russia is trying to provoke a blackout in Ukraine, just before winter" and expressed concerns that the Trump administration might lift more sanctions in the coming days.
Bipartisan Criticism in Washington
The reaction in Washington transcended party lines. Senator Darline Graham — the late Lindsey Graham's sister, appointed to his seat — expressed her disagreement: "I would choose to maintain pressure on Russia to end the war, because I don't trust Putin or Russia."
Republican Senator Ted Cruz called the suspension a "mistake" on Fox News, warning that "the current path, unfortunately, only benefits Putin." Senator Thom Tillis described it as "irresponsible in the extreme."
Senator John Cornyn was more direct: "Helping Putin in Ukraine is reckless. He won't stop with Ukraine, and our NATO allies would be next."
From the Democratic side, Senator Elizabeth Warren described it as "a predictable and complete failure of leadership," while Senator Richard Blumenthal, co-author of the law, wrote that "these exemptions have nothing to do with our national security and everything to do with trying to curry favor with Vladimir Putin."
Moscow Welcomes the Decision
Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, director of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, celebrated the exemption on X, calling it "an important and truly historic moment," and asserted that "economic cooperation between Russia and the United States benefits the interests of both nations."
The suspension marks the latest chapter in a tumultuous week. On October 9, Trump announced a deal with Putin to import up to 4.8 million tons of Russian diesel, a move Zelensky condemned as a way to fund Russia's war effort.
Days later, Trump proclaimed an "energy ceasefire" that was never formally confirmed by Moscow or Kyiv, and Russia attacked six Ukrainian energy installations on the same day.
The political calendar looms large behind the decision: the midterm elections in November 2026.
The White House has attributed rising fuel prices — with diesel exceeding $6.28 per gallon in September — to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
Despite the mounting tension, Zelensky indicated on Sunday that negotiators from both countries spoke on Friday, and a possible meeting between the two teams could occur next week.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trump's Sanctions Suspension
Why did Trump suspend the sanctions against Russia?
Trump claimed the suspension was in the "national interest of the United States," but did not provide specific reasons for this decision.
How did the suspension of sanctions affect the relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine?
The suspension further strained the relationship between Washington and Kyiv, especially as it coincided with significant Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
What was the reaction in Congress to the suspension of sanctions?
The decision received bipartisan criticism in Congress, with members from both parties expressing concerns and disagreement over the suspension.
What is the Lindsey Graham Act?
The Lindsey Graham Act was a law that imposed significant sanctions and tariffs on Russia, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham.