Trump waives broad Russia sanctions under the Graham Act two days before they take effect, citing national interest

President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Friday waiving parts of a recently enacted Russia sanctions package, two days before the law’s implementation deadline. Trump cited US national interest.

The legislation, titled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, was introduced over a year ago. Its primary backer was the late Lindsey Graham, a veteran Republican senator from South Carolina. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, co-drafted the measure. The House passed the bill on Sept. 16. Trump signed it into law two days later. The act required the president to increase duties on all Russian goods imported into the US by up to 500% no later than 30 days after enactment. It also required Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, most significantly China and India. The law could sanction senior Russian figures including Putin, as well as Russian financial institutions and Moscow’s so-called shadow fleet of vessels used to circumvent existing embargoes. It could also expand sanctions on Iran.

“I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver is in the national interests of the United States,” Trump wrote in the order. “The suspension of some of the provisions of the Graham Act marks an important and truly historic moment,” said Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s economy envoy. Dmitriev said the sanctions would have inflicted serious damage primarily on the US and global market, and that economic cooperation benefits both nations. “The U.S.-Russia economic dialogue and peacemaking efforts will continue,” he added. Trump’s order preserves existing sanctions on Russia under earlier executive orders.

Diesel precedent and political pressure

The waiver comes about a week after the Trump administration temporarily waived sanctions on Russian diesel exports, a measure that runs through April 2027. The administration cited a supply crunch caused by the war in Iran. High fuel prices are a sensitive political issue for Trump, with US midterm elections scheduled for Nov. 3. Trump claimed that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an energy ceasefire to facilitate the export of Russian diesel. Zelensky initially expressed surprise at the announcement. After three days that saw several fresh attacks from Russia, Kyiv resumed its strikes on Russian oil refineries. Trump called the Ukrainian strikes a disgrace. Zelensky replied that he was “only standing up for Ukraine’s interests.” Both nations have been intensively striking one another’s energy infrastructure.

Zelensky warns of systematic relief

Speaking to reporters in Brussels on Friday, Zelensky warned that the diesel agreement could set a precedent for further sanctions relief. He warned that sanctions would be lifted after gas, then on something else, then extended to the banking system, certain individuals, and the chemical industry. On Saturday morning, Zelensky said the sanctions could have helped enormously and that the law was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring the war to an end. He later told reporters he believed the Trump administration would lift more sanctions against Russia. Zelensky said it is “important that everyone in America also sees what is really happening.”

Zelensky pointed to Russian overnight attacks on 15 Ukrainian energy facilities that caused power cuts in several regions. “Russia is trying to cause a blackout in Ukraine – right before winter,” he said. Ukrainian authorities confirmed at least nine people killed and around 60 injured in Russian strikes across the country over the past 24 hours. An ambulance driver was killed and 20 others injured in Russian strikes on Kherson on Saturday morning. Russia’s defence ministry said it had targeted industries linked to Ukraine’s defence industry, including steel works, an electrical sub-station, and a cargo vessel in the Black Sea.

Starlink disruption on the battlefield

Reports emerged of disruption to SpaceX’s Starlink and Starshield system used by Ukraine. Last week Starlink suddenly restricted the speed at which drones could fly while still maintaining internet connection. Ukraine said the restriction disrupted some battlefield missions and hampered Kyiv’s ability to protect itself from incoming Russian attacks. During the slowdown, Russia launched several deadly strikes on Ukraine, with residents and the government saying these came with no prior warning. Zelensky told reporters on Saturday that US officials said the speed restrictions were linked to technical issues. He said Ukraine had tested Starlink on EU territory and found the problems do not exist, with the system operating at higher speeds. Trump denied deliberately slowing the network. Elon Musk said the US government and president were ultimately responsible for any curbs. Ukraine has restricted SpaceX’s Starshield military application.

Democratic backlash and diplomatic outlook

The sanctions waiver drew sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers. Rep. Don Beyer, a Virginia Democrat, accused Trump of capitulating to Moscow and turning his back on Kyiv and Zelensky. “Trump’s latest surrender to Putin again betrays our Ukrainian partners and defies clear congressional intent of legislation designed to punish Russia for its illegal war of aggression,” Beyer wrote. Blumenthal condemned the move. “Donald Trump confirms again that he stands on the side of a bloodthirsty thug & the enablers of Russia’s war machine & against the majority of Americans, their representatives in both houses of Congress, & our European allies,” he said. Trump’s Republican Party holds a narrow majority in both chambers of Congress. Zelensky said Ukrainian negotiators spoke to their US counterparts on Friday and that both teams could meet next week. An Italian minister told the BBC that Trump was completely wrong to restrict support for Ukraine. Trump has denied halting intelligence-sharing. Ukraine accused the Trump administration of withdrawing key military support. Zelensky declared it was nice to be among “real leaders” at an EU summit, after Trump said Zelensky was more difficult to deal with than Putin.