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Trump Order Shields Russia from Newly Passed Sanctions
By Drooid · · How we work
Executive Order Exempts Russia from New Sanctions
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday night that exempts Russia from the sanctions legislation Congress approved the previous month. The order provides an economic lifeline to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin at a time when the United States is seeking Russian assistance to lower domestic gas prices.
Legislative Background and Intended Targets
The sanctions bill, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, was crafted over more than a year to target Russian officials, oligarchs and financial institutions believed to sustain Russia’s war against Ukraine. The law was designed to cut off the financial channels supporting the conflict while also granting the president additional tariff authority to penalize countries that continue trading with Russia.
Official Actions and Authority
By signing the order, President Trump invoked the newly granted tariff powers, allowing the administration to impose punitive measures on nations that maintain trade ties with Russia. The exemption, however, removes Russia from the immediate reach of the congressional sanctions, effectively preserving existing economic links between the two countries.
Potential Implications for U.S.–Russia Relations
The exemption creates a direct contrast between congressional intent to financially isolate Russia and the executive branch’s decision to maintain economic engagement. Analysts note that the move could bolster Russia’s capacity to fund its war effort while simultaneously giving the United States a lever to negotiate lower gas prices. The divergence also raises questions about the coherence of U.S. policy toward Russia amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.