Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday that suspends the enforcement of significant sanctions and tariffs outlined in the Lindsey Graham Act against Russia, just two days before they were set to take effect, according to reports from CNN and Reuters.
The measure sparked criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers and heightened tensions between Washington and Kyiv.
In the executive order, Trump justified the suspension by the “national interest of the United States”, without providing specific reasons for the decision.
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, explained that the pause, lasting up to 60 days, will allow for an assessment of the impact of the sanctions on the global economy.
A law that was enacted and suspended in less than a month
The legislation is named after Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away in July at the age of 71.
Trump had enacted it on September 18, just 29 days before ordering the suspension of some of its main provisions.
The regulation includes tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas —including China and India— as well as sanctions against high-ranking Russian officials, including Vladimir Putin, financial institutions, and the so-called "shadow fleet" of Moscow.
The Senate approved it with 86 votes in favor, through a bipartisan process expedited following the death of the legislator.
Zelensky condemns the measure amid bombings
The suspension coincided with one of the largest Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. More than 320 drones and missiles targeted at least 15 facilities across 10 regions, leaving Vinnytsia completely without electricity and affecting over 500,000 consumers.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenski, condemned the U.S. decision:
"At a time when the Russians have launched such a massive attack on our energy sector, it is unfortunate that the decision was made in the United States to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Law, which was intended to exert truly effective pressure on Russia to end this war."
Zelenski also warned that "Russia is trying to provoke a blackout in Ukraine, just before winter" and expressed his fear that the Trump administration would lift more sanctions in the coming days.
Despite the differences between both governments, Zelensky indicated this Sunday that American and Ukrainian negotiators held talks on Friday and that a new meeting between the teams could take place next week.
Criticism from both parties
The decision generated backlash among lawmakers from both parties in Washington.
Senator Darline Graham, sister of the late Lindsey Graham and appointed to take his seat, expressed her disagreement: "I would choose to maintain pressure on Russia to end the war, because I do not trust Putin or Russia."
The Republican senator Ted Cruz described the suspension as a "mistake" during an appearance on Fox News and warned that "the current path, unfortunately, only benefits Putin."
His party colleague Thom Tillis deemed the measure "irresponsible to the utmost."
The senator John Cornyn also questioned the decision: "Helping Putin in Ukraine is reckless. He wouldn't stop with Ukraine, and our NATO allies would be next."
Among the Democrats, Senator Elizabeth Warren described it as "a predictable and absolute failure of leadership."
For his part, Senator Richard Blumenthal, co-author of the legislation, stated that "these exemptions have nothing to do with our national security and everything to do with trying to win the favor of Vladimir Putin."
Moscow celebrates the decision
The Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, director of the sovereign fund of Russia, celebrated the suspension on X and described it as "an important and truly historic moment."
Dmitriev also stated that "economic cooperation between Russia and the United States serves the interests of both nations."
The suspension is the final episode of a turbulent week.
On October 9, Trump announced an agreement with Putin to import up to 4.8 million tons of Russian diesel, a move that Zelenski condemned for believing it would help finance Moscow's war efforts.
Days later, Trump announced an "energy ceasefire" that was not officially confirmed by Moscow or Kyiv. That same day, Russia attacked six Ukrainian energy facilities.
Behind the decision also looms the American political calendar, marked by the midterm elections in November 2026 and concerns over fuel prices.
The White House has attributed the rising fuel prices to the war between Russia and Ukraine. In September, diesel exceeded $6.28 per gallon, a significant economic pressure in the lead-up to the elections.
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