Story perspectives

Trump Waives Sanctions on Russian Fuel for India

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 4:26 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump invoked Graham Act to waive sanctions on Russian fuel for India.
The waiver stabilizes markets while a U.S.–India trade deal is finalized.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is “close” to finalizing the deal, prompting the waiver.
Marco Rubio will travel to India on Oct 20 to meet S. Jaishankar.
The waiver eases tariffs on Russian oil and gas imports for India and China.

History

Historical Context

In July 2014 the United States sanctioned Russian energy firms Rosneft and Novatek after Crimea’s annexation, ending U.S. oil financing. The curbs drove Moscow to sell more oil to Asia, where China handled 40% of Russian imports in 2022 and trade reached $240 billion in 2023. Trump’s Graham-Act waiver now permits India and China to import Russian fuel, echoing that pivot.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump invoked Graham Act to waive sanctions on Russian fuel for India.
The waiver stabilizes markets while a U.S.–India trade deal is finalized.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is “close” to finalizing the deal, prompting the waiver.
Marco Rubio will travel to India on Oct 20 to meet S. Jaishankar.
The waiver eases tariffs on Russian oil and gas imports for India and China.

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