Trump Waives Russia Sanctions Amid Ukraine Energy Strikes

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Friday waiving key Russia-related sanctions and tariffs authorized under the Graham Act. He stated the move was in the national interest of the United States. The decision blocks sanctions just two days before they were due to take effect, intensifying a rift with Ukraine as it faces renewed Russian attacks on its energy grid.

Zelensky and allies condemn the move as harmful to Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the waiver on Saturday, saying the sanctions could have helped enormously. He argued the law was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to end the war. Zelensky suggested the U.S. decision to disregard the sanctions was tantamount to investing in Russia's war effort and warned it could encourage Moscow to continue its attacks.

He expressed belief that the Trump administration would lift more sanctions against Russia. Zelensky has long stressed the need for stringent sanctions to limit funding for Russia's war.

Bipartisan US criticism highlights divisions over Trump's Russia policy

The suspension drew sharp criticism from U.S. politicians in both parties. Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a Trump ally, called waiving the sanctions a mistake, suggesting other ways to address fuel prices existed. Senator John Cornyn labeled the move reckless.

North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis called it beyond irresponsible. He argued Trump could bring energy prices down by ending the Iran war instead of doing a solid for Putin. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat who helped draft the Graham Act, criticized Trump for turning his back on lawmakers and European allies. Darline Graham, the Republican successor to her late brother Lindsey Graham, expressed disagreement, stating she would choose to keep pressure on Russia.

Democrats, including Virginia Congressman Don Beyer, accused Trump of capitulating to Moscow and turning his back on Kyiv. Nebraska Representative Don Bacon indicated that U.S. lawmakers would now resist funding Trump's agenda.

Waiver coincides with escalating energy warfare and Starlink disruptions

Trump's order comes amid intensified energy strikes. Zelensky pointed to Russian overnight attacks on 15 Ukrainian energy facilities that caused power cuts. "Russia is trying to cause a blackout in Ukraine, right before winter," he said. After three days of fresh Russian attacks, Kyiv resumed its own strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Trump condemned the Ukrainian strikes as a disgrace, but Zelensky said he was only standing up for Ukraine's interests. A few days prior, Trump claimed both nations had agreed to an energy ceasefire to facilitate Russian diesel exports, a statement that surprised Zelensky.

Concerns over U.S. support were heightened by disruptions to the Starlink satellite system provided to Ukraine. Last week, Starlink unexpectedly restricted drone flight speeds while maintaining an internet connection, disrupting battlefield missions. Ukrainian officials said they were told the restrictions were due to technical issues, but tests on EU territory showed the system operating at higher speeds.

The Graham Act legislation, signed by Trump last month, aimed to increase economic pressure on Moscow. It authorized tariffs of up to 100% on imports from major buyers of Russian oil and gas, like China and India, and included sanctions against senior Russian figures and financial institutions.

Russian officials welcome the waiver as economically beneficial

Russian officials welcomed the U.S. decision. Envoy Kirill Dmitriev praised Trump's order as an important and truly historic moment. He posted on social media that the sanctions would have inflicted serious damage primarily on the U.S. and global market, claiming economic cooperation benefits both nations.

The waiver comes amid rising global diesel and gasoline prices linked to conflicts in Iran and Ukraine. Trump recently reached an agreement with Vladimir Putin for Russia to release millions of tons of diesel into global markets. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the suspension would consist of a 60-day pause to analyze the sanctions' potential impact.

Ukraine said it would stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure if Russia did the same.