President Donald Trump has suspended a new round of U.S. sanctions against Russia, just two days before the measures were scheduled to take effect on October 18, 2026.
According to CNN, Trump signed an executive order on October 16 waiving sanctions and tariffs established under legislation he signed into law on September 18. The president justified the decision as being in the national interest of the United States.
The legislation, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was designed to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its ongoing war in Ukraine. It included penalties targeting Russian financial institutions, energy-related businesses, and countries purchasing Russian oil and gas.
The decision comes amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has criticized recent U.S. efforts to ease restrictions on Russian energy exports while Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure continue.
The move has also raised concerns among American lawmakers and European allies who support maintaining economic pressure on Moscow.
Existing sanctions imposed under separate presidential authorities remain in place, while several new restrictions have been waived.