Full Breakdown
Trump Waives Russia Sanctions Days Before They Take Effect, Sparking Bipartisan Outcry
By Drooid · · How we work
The Executive Action
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 16, 2026 that suspends key provisions of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. The legislation was intended to impose steep tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil and gas and to sanction Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers.
Legislative Background
The Graham Act, signed into law in September 2026, targeted Russia’s revenue streams to pressure President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine and authorized tariffs on goods from countries continuing to buy Russian energy. The law gave the president authority to waive the sanctions with a national-interest justification.
Quantitative Context
- The diesel deal announced earlier in the month calls for 300,000 metric tonnes of Russian diesel to be delivered immediately, another 500,000 tonnes in November, and 1 million tonnes thereafter.
- Gasoline and diesel prices have risen more than 34 percent year-over-year, a factor cited by the administration as a driver of the waiver.
- The Act required tariffs of up to 500 percent on Russian goods and up to 100 percent on imports from the five largest foreign purchasers of Russian oil and gas.
Official Statements & Responses
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the administration will use a 60-day review period to assess the economic impact of the sanctions and tariffs on U.S. and global markets. He noted that overlapping conflicts, including the war in Iran, are “crashing into each other” and affecting energy prices.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the move, arguing it “helps only the Russians” and undermines Ukraine’s ability to fund its defense.
Criticism & Opposition
A coalition of Republican and Democratic lawmakers publicly denounced the waiver.
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) called the action “beyond irresponsible” and “unconscionable.”
- Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) described the decision as “a mistake” that benefits Putin.
These statements underscore a rare split within the GOP, with several senior Republicans joining Democrats in urging the president to reinstate the sanctions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” — President Trump
- “If the president wants to actually bring down energy prices, he can do it by solving the Iran problem, not by doing a solid for Vladimir Putin,” — Sen. Thom Tillis
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the waiver’s duration. The White House order did not specify an end date, leading some outlets to describe the suspension as “indefinite.” No official clarification has reconciled these accounts.
Why It Matters
The waiver directly affects the flow of Russian revenue that funds the war in Ukraine, potentially altering the strategic calculus of both Moscow and Kyiv. It also comes weeks before the November 3 midterm elections, where high energy prices are a top voter concern, and strains the “special relationship” with NATO allies that have signaled disagreement with the United States’ softened stance toward Russia.