US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on October 16 introducing new sanctions against Russia but immediately suspended their implementation, citing US national interests. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the move, calling it an “American sanctions blackout.”
The executive order was published on the White House’s official website. The restrictions were due to take effect on October 18 under legislation previously signed by Trump.
The legislation, named after the late US Senator Lindsey Graham, was signed on September 18. It provides for additional sanctions against Russia over its war against Ukraine, as well as trade restrictions on countries that continue to buy Russian energy resources.
The planned measures targeted Russian banks, officials and the oil sector. They also envisaged higher tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil and gas.
Under the legislation, tariffs on Russian goods were to increase by 500%. Additional tariffs of 100% were envisaged for the five largest importers of Russian oil and gas if they continued purchasing these resources after October 18. Similar tariffs were provided for five countries accused of helping Russia circumvent oil sanctions.
However, Trump’s October 16 order suspended the implementation of these measures.
Why did Trump suspend the sanctions?
The legislation allows the US president to temporarily exempt parties from sanctions, restrictions and tariffs if he determines that doing so serves the national interest. The president must submit the relevant justification to Congress, according to the BBC’s Russian Service.
In his executive order, Trump said he was suspending the measures because he considered the decision to be in the interests of the United States.
“I hereby suspend the application of the sanctions, restrictive measures and tariffs provided for by the Graham Act,” the order states. “I have transmitted to Congress the formal certification that granting such a waiver at this time is in the national interest of the United States.”
The order does not specify how long the suspension will remain in force. The restrictions could be reinstated by the president or authorized administration officials.
The decision concerns the new measures and does not automatically lift existing US sanctions against Russia.
According to the Associated Press, the move has drawn criticism from US lawmakers who had supported increasing economic pressure on Moscow.
Decision follows reported agreements on Russian diesel supplies
Several days before signing the order, Trump announced agreements involving Russian diesel supplies to the global market. The US administration hopes to increase fuel availability and curb rising prices amid the energy crisis.
Trump said Russia planned to supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel initially, followed by another 500,000 tons in November and further shipments afterward.
The reported agreements have drawn criticism in Europe and Ukraine. Opponents argue that easing restrictions could allow Russia to generate additional revenue from energy exports.
Zelensky criticizes Washington’s decision
Zelensky described the suspension of the new sanctions as an “American sanctions blackout.”
On the morning of October 17, the Ukrainian president also reported one of Russia’s largest attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. According to Zelensky, Russian forces struck more than 15 major electricity generation and transmission facilities across several regions.
Ukrainian authorities reported power outages in Zhytomyr and Vinnytsia regions, while electricity supply schedules were introduced across the country.
“At the moment when the Russians launched such a large-scale strike against our energy infrastructure, a decision was taken in America — regrettably — to completely ignore the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to exert genuinely effective pressure on Russia for the sake of ending this war,” Zelensky said.
He stressed that the legislation could still be used to increase pressure on Moscow and warned that easing economic restrictions would encourage further Russian attacks.
Zelensky had previously criticized Trump’s reported agreements with Russia on diesel supplies, expressing concern that they could be followed by further sanctions relief for Russian banks and individuals.