Story perspectives

Trump Waives Russia Sanctions, Tariffs in Executive Order

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 10:10 PM UTC · How we work

Left

Waiver funds Putin

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 16, 2026, waiving Russia sanctions and tariffs.
Critics say the waiver gives Russia a lifeline could fund its war and worsen Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis, with Zelensky calling it a gift to Putin.
Don Beyer and Senator Thom Tillis condemned waiver as betrayal of Congress and Ukraine.
Trump announced importing over 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel to lower global fuel prices.

Right

Republican condemnation

U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Oct. 16, 2026 waiving Russia sanctions and tariffs mandated by the Lindsey Graham Act.
Republican senators Ted Cruz, Thom Tillis and Darline Graham called the waiver a mistake or unconscionable.
President Trump said the decision is “very good” and benefits the United States.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the waiver a 60-day pause to assess economic impact.

Blindspot

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the waiver gives Russia a financial lifeline that could fund its war and worsen Ukraine’s humanitarian situation.
Within this story's sources, this humanitarian impact angle appears mainly in Left-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

In March 2014 the United States and EU imposed the most sweeping sanctions on Russia since the Soviet Union’s collapse, freezing over $1 billion in assets of oligarchs, banks and energy firms after the annexation of Crimea. The 2026 Trump order that lifts those restrictions and authorizes 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel reverses that policy, prompting warnings from Ukrainian President Zelensky and U.S. senators.

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Waiver funds Putin

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 16, 2026, waiving Russia sanctions and tariffs.
Critics say the waiver gives Russia a lifeline could fund its war and worsen Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis, with Zelensky calling it a gift to Putin.
Don Beyer and Senator Thom Tillis condemned waiver as betrayal of Congress and Ukraine.
Trump announced importing over 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel to lower global fuel prices.

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