Trump waives Russia measures as bipartisan lawmakers urge full sanctions implementation

US President Donald Trump has waived numerous sanctions and duties under a Russia sanctions law due to take effect on October 18, citing US national interest. The BBC reported that 20 bipartisan lawmakers urged full implementation without delay, amid objections to his agreement to buy Russian diesel.¹⁷

Duties established, then waived

The order puts into effect the 2026 law named for Lindsey O. Graham that sanctions Russia and Iran; Trump signed it on September 18. According to the White House document, section 115 permits the president to waive sanctions, restrictions and duties after sending Congress a written certification and report. Trump said he had submitted the required national-interest certification.⁷

The BBC reported that the law was due to take effect on October 18 and includes sanctions against Putin, senior Russian officials, financial institutions and the shadow fleet transporting Russian energy. TASS said the administration must identify covered companies and individuals or determine that the measures do not serve US interests within 30 days of signing, and notify Congress.¹⁶

The measures include a 500% increase in duties on Russian goods. The order also provides for a 100% duty increase on goods from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas if they knowingly make new purchases after October 18, according to the White House text.³⁷

A separate 100% increase covers goods from the five leading facilitators of Russian oil sanctions evasion, the order says. But Trump waived duties under sections 112 and 113, along with specified sanctions and restrictions. The Kyiv Independent described the order as largely suspending the measures it creates.³⁷

The White House document says the waivers continue until Trump or the secretary of state decides further action is appropriate, with consultations involving the Treasury secretary and trade representative as appropriate. It also directs the trade representative to monitor relevant Russian energy purchases and assistance with sanctions evasion and report to the president.⁷

The exemptions do not remove every US measure against Russia. According to the order, sanctions and other measures imposed through certain earlier executive orders addressing specified Russian government activities are unaffected by the new waivers.⁷

Diesel agreement draws objections

The Associated Press connected the waiver to the administration's Russian diesel arrangement. Trump said the United States would import Russian diesel to reduce energy prices, the BBC reported. According to the Kyiv Independent, he said Moscow had committed to supplying millions of tons to US and global markets following a phone call with Vladimir Putin.⁴¹³

Twenty bipartisan lawmakers urged Trump to implement the sanctions fully and without delay, according to the BBC. Separately, the Guardian reported that a dozen senators, including six Republicans, urged him to rescind the diesel deal. Democratic Representative Don Beyer accused Trump of betraying Ukraine and defying congressional intent, the BBC reported.¹²

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that the diesel arrangement could lead to further sanctions relief, the Kyiv Independent reported. Meeting European leaders in Brussels, he also said it would send money back into Russia, according to the Guardian. The Japan Times reported that he sought nearly $80 billion more from EU leaders for the following year.³²⁵

Trump also said Moscow and Kyiv had consented to halt attacks on one another's energy infrastructure, though the BBC reported that Russia denied giving its consent. The BBC reported that the administration had warned it could withhold intelligence-sharing unless Kyiv stopped attacking Russian oil refineries.¹