Source: Fortune.com
Summary
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to pause a sweeping sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, citing national interest. The move drew criticism from congressional Democrats and came just days before the law’s implementation deadline. The sanctions, named after late Senator Lindsey Graham, aimed to cut off financial resources fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump’s decision followed his announcement of a diesel deal with Russia, which drew widespread condemnation. The pause was posted on the White House website, but no detailed explanation was provided.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
Trump paused sanctions just before deadline.
Democrats called it a betrayal.
Sanctions were part of Graham’s legacy.
Trump’s move aligns with his energy strategy.
The pause signals a shift in policy direction.
Author: Evan Null
Trump’s Executive Order
President Donald Trump signed an executive order to put on hold a sweeping sanctions package targeting the Russian economy. The move was made just two days before the law’s implementation deadline. The sanctions were part of a bipartisan effort to cut off financial resources fueling Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump’s decision drew immediate criticism from congressional Democrats, who called it a betrayal of the effort to support Ukraine.
Sanctions Named After Lindsey Graham
The sanctions package was named after late Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump. Graham had advocated for stricter U.S. sanctions against Russia as a way of pressuring it to end its war in Ukraine. His colleagues in Congress responded with bipartisan support after his death, and Trump attached his signature to the legislation — then changed his mind. The package had been meant to starve Russian President Vladimir Putin of the resources needed to continue the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s Diesel Deal With Russia
Trump’s decision to pause the sanctions came a week after he announced a deal to purchase diesel from Russia to try to bring down global energy prices. The move was criticized as potentially hurting Ukraine in its war with Russia. The sanctions that Trump has now suspended had become a campaign centerpiece for Darline Graham, the late senator’s sister, who is running to replace him in the Senate. She said the sanctions were meant to bring down gas prices and end the war.
Blumenthal’s Response
Senator Richard Blumenthal, one of the lawmakers who drafted the sanctions, criticized Trump for turning his back on the majority of Americans and their representatives in both houses of Congress. He said the waivers had nothing to do with national security and everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin. Democratic Rep. Don Beyer also warned that Trump might make such a move and called on Congress to fix the law to stop Trump from capitulating to Putin.
White House Response
The White House did not immediately explain how pausing the sanctions was in the national interest. The decision was posted on the White House website late in the evening, and the notification noted that the report explaining the decision had been submitted to Congress. Still, it comes as Trump has increasingly lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, blaming him for failing to make a deal with Putin to end the fighting.
