US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order waiving new sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia’s energy revenues, reversing measures he signed into law last month.
The order, signed on Friday, suspends the application of sanctions, restrictions and duties provided for under the Lindsey Graham Act.
The legislation, named after the late US senator who sponsored it, authorised Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
“As described further in section 4 of this order, I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” the executive order stated.
The law targeted Russia’s energy and defence sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, as well as Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet of tankers allegedly used to circumvent Western sanctions.
Decision raises tensions with Ukraine
Trump’s reversal comes after a controversial agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin that would allow Russian diesel exports in exchange for US sanctions relief.
The deal has strained relations between Washington and Kyiv, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky describing the decision as a “weak decision”.
Ukrainian forces have also resumed attacks on Russian oil refineries amid the latest developments.
The waiver marks a shift in Washington’s approach to economic pressure on Moscow, particularly measures designed to restrict Russia’s energy earnings.
The full implications of the executive order for US-Russia relations and Washington’s support for Ukraine remain unclear.
