Trump Waives Russia Sanctions Under Graham Act

President Donald Trump issued an executive order waiving or pausing provisions of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act shortly before they were due to take effect, citing U.S. national interests. The law authorized tariffs of up to 500% on Russian goods and up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas and facilitators of sanctions evasion; the move eases the immediate tariff threat for countries including India, China and Turkey, and the administration has linked it to facilitating Russian diesel exports and easing fuel-price pressures. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and lawmakers from both parties criticized the waiver, saying it weakens pressure on Moscow as Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter, while some Republicans supported the decision. Congress is not expected to consider a response until after the election; lawmakers have requested explanations or urged efforts to reverse the move, and Trump retains authority to restore the measures. Zelenskyy said Washington was seeking to arrange a trilateral meeting with him, Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but neither side has confirmed it.