Washington, October 17, 2026 (Nosheen): US President Donald Trump has waived key Russia-related sanctions and tariffs just days before they were due to take effect under legislation he signed last month, including duties on Russian goods and penalties targeting countries purchasing Russian oil and gas. In an executive order released by the White House on Friday, Trump said the waiver was in the national interest of the United States. The legislation was designed to increase pressure on Moscow over its war against Ukraine, which began in 2022. However, Trump has recently shown a more conciliatory approach towards Russia while publicly criticising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The new measures could have further increased oil prices ahead of the US midterm elections, as Americans face rising costs partly linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran, analysts have warned. The legislation, known as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was signed by Trump in mid-September. It would have authorised tariffs of up to 100 per cent on goods imported from countries among the five largest purchasers of Russian oil or gas, as well as penalties targeting countries knowingly purchasing Russian energy or helping Moscow evade sanctions.
Trump said he had submitted a certification to Congress confirming that issuing the waiver at this time served US national interests. The order stated that the exemption would remain in effect until the president or senior US officials determined that further action was appropriate. China and India, two major buyers of Russian oil, have expressed concerns about the legislation. Beijing has opposed what it describes as the application of US jurisdiction beyond its borders without a basis in international law, while India has warned that additional tariffs could affect bilateral relations. The law allows the president to waive the sanctions by notifying Congress that their implementation would not serve US national interests. Democratic Representative Don Beyer criticised Trump’s decision, accusing him of yielding to Russian President Vladimir Putin and undermining congressional efforts to hold Moscow accountable for its war against Ukraine. Trump has also faced criticism from several US senators, including Republicans, over a recent diesel-related agreement involving the easing of sanctions on Russian exports to help increase global fuel supplies and lower prices. Critics argue that such arrangements could provide financial support for Russia’s war efforts. Meanwhile, Russian presidential investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the waiver, describing it as a “truly historic moment” and saying the legislation could otherwise have effectively halted economic cooperation between Russia and the United States.