President Donald Trump has triggered a wave of bipartisan condemnation after issuing an executive order to suspend sanctions targeting Russia and nations purchasing its energy resources. The decision, signed on Friday, comes just days before the restrictions were scheduled to take effect under legislation Trump himself signed into law last month.
In the order, Trump stated that the waiver served the US national interest. He did not provide a timeline for when the restrictions might be reinstated, noting that the suspension would remain in place until he or senior officials determined that further action was necessary. The move has drawn immediate and harsh rebukes from both Democratic and Republican leaders.
Republican and Democratic Backlash
Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina labeled the decision as “beyond irresponsible.” In a post on social media, Tillis accused the administration of yielding to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Tillis highlighted the overwhelming legislative support for the original law, asking what part of the 86-11 Senate vote the President and his advisers did not understand.
Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas also voiced his disapproval. Cornyn noted that the legislation was championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, stating that Graham would be “appalled” by the current administration’s actions.
Democrats were equally critical. Representative Don Beyer of Virginia argued that the waiver betrayed Ukraine and disregarded the clear intent of Congress to punish Russia for its aggression. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts accused Trump of “thumbing his nose” at Congress. Warren urged her colleagues to take immediate action to reverse the decision, arguing that the waiver enables Putin to continue his war effort.
Origins of the Legislation
The suspended law, officially named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, was passed with significant bipartisan support. The legislation would have authorized tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from countries that continued buying Russian oil and gas or assisted Moscow in evading existing sanctions. Graham had spent approximately a year working to get the bill passed before his death earlier this year.
The timing of the waiver has raised additional questions among politicians. The decision followed reports that Trump agreed to a deal to purchase Russian diesel, an effort aimed at lowering fuel prices that have risen due to the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Lawmakers from both parties have questioned whether this deal would actually reduce energy costs or simply provide Moscow with revenue to fund its military operations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also responded to the news on Saturday. He warned that easing pressure on Russia would encourage further attacks. “Financial rewards for Putin, all of this only encourages him to keep attacking,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, urging the United States to maintain strict pressure on Moscow.
With Congress currently in recess until after the November 3 midterm elections, immediate legislative challenges to the waiver are limited. However, Representative Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has already introduced separate legislation aimed at blocking the diesel deal with Russia.
Source: Al Jazeera
