President Donald Trump has signed an executive order waiving bipartisan sanctions and tariffs on Russia that were set to take effect this week. The move, which the White House defends as being in the national interest,
reverses legislation signed into law just last month, drawing sharp condemnation from both Ukrainian officials and congressional lawmakers.
Executive Waiver of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act
On Friday, October 16, President Trump issued an executive order halting the implementation of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The legislation, which Trump himself signed into law on September 18, was designed to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and gas. Those measures were scheduled to take effect just two days after the president’s order.
The White House maintains that the pause is necessary to allow for a period of analysis. Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the administration needs time to study all this and figure out what the right combination is,
noting that the original sanctions would have impacted not only Russia but also key U.S. allies like India, for whom pivoting away from Russian energy imports is difficult to achieve in a single day.
Ukraine is our ally, yet this administration's actions suggest otherwise. We must stand with the people of Ukraine in their fight for sovereignty against Russia’s illegal, brutal invasion. pic.twitter.com/LomxvBIlM1
Zelenskyy’s Criticism and the Impact on Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been vocal in his opposition to the reversal, characterizing the decision as one that emboldens Russian President Vladimir Putin and provides financial lifelines to the Russian state. Zelenskyy expressed his frustration with the shift in U.S. policy.
The decision to undo all of this, to block all of it, seems wrong to me,
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy also linked the sanctions waiver to recent U.S. policy changes, including a deal to purchase Russian diesel. While the White House argues that such measures are intended to stabilize global energy prices, analysts at the International Energy Agency have expressed skepticism that the diesel deal will significantly lower fuel costs for consumers. Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, lawmakers such as Rep. Chris Deluzio have criticized the waiver as a failure to uphold congressional intent, while others like Sen. Dave McCormick have stated they support Trump’s goal of ending the war in Ukraine and his efforts to bring down fuel prices, but also believe the U.S. should keep the pressure on Russia.
My friend Lindsey Graham spent his final months working to cut off the money fueling Putin’s war in Ukraine.Last week, @POTUS signed the bipartisan bill named for him into law, and at the @UN, he said he'd use its powers if necessary.Buyers of Russian oil, beware. https://t.co/mGVcf4ZECE
Economic Stakes for China, India, and Global Markets
The sanctions were primarily targeted at the world’s largest purchasers of Russian energy.
| Country | September 2026 Import Value |
|---|---|
| China | millions |
| Hungary and Slovakia (combined) | millions |
Vasily Astrov, an economist at the Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies, noted that the Russian government will likely be the greatest beneficiary because the easing of global prices prevents Russian oil from being further discounted, allowing more revenue to flow directly into the Russian state coffers. For India, the waiver provides temporary relief from the threatened 100 percent tariffs, though trade experts suggest that New Delhi must remain cautious in its ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S. to ensure it does not pay a premium for the privilege of buying Russian energy.
Sanctions Reversal Sparks Debate Before Midterm Elections
The reversal has sparked intense debate regarding the legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who was a staunch advocate for the sanctions before his death in July. Darline Graham, the senator’s sister and current candidate for his seat, noted that while she respects the president, she would choose to put the pressure on Russia to end the war and get gas prices down.
President Trump has defended his actions by suggesting he is in the process of negotiating a peace deal, hinting that the diplomatic efforts include hostage negotiations.
As the November 3 midterm elections approach, the administration faces mounting pressure to manage energy costs and foreign policy outcomes. Whether this latest waiver serves as a strategic bargaining chip or a permanent abandonment of the bipartisan sanctions framework remains the central, unresolved question for the White House.
Russia is our enemy. Ukraine is our ally. https://t.co/f6o9DqR4aQ
More on Marco Rubio
The Trump Administration is now buying Russian diesel and giving sanctions relief while restricting Ukraine's ability to intercept drones, and reportedly withholding air defense missiles from Kyiv.All while Russia supplies Iran with intelligence used to attack American troops.… https://t.co/wXufenBh3q
I voted NO on this sanctions bill because I thought it was foolish to give even more power to Donald Trump. And look what he just did with it: he waived all the bill’s sanctions on Russia, a total gift to Putin.This undermines our friends in Ukraine, who have fought valiantly… https://t.co/pGXWjMncNw
When the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 came before the Rules Committee, I offered Rep. Meeks’s amendment to block President Trump from waiving Russian sanctions. My Republican colleagues voted against it.On Friday, President Trump did exactly that:… pic.twitter.com/MYE84rS3Ro
Once again, currying favor with his favorite dictator at Ukraine’s expense. This administration cannot be trusted to hold Putin accountable, which is exactly why I voted against the Graham Act. The United States must stand firm with our ally Ukraine. Trump cannot continue…
Earlier this year I voted against the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia Act. I strongly support stronger sanctions on Russia but that bill gave President Trump dangerously unchecked power.My concern was valid. Just weeks after signing it, President Trump exempted Russia from…
Read my latest #InflectionPoints for the@AtlanticCouncil on how President Trump continues to tie his legacy, for better or for worse, to his oscilating position on the Russia-Ukraine war. https://t.co/Yf2pHhFW2t
This is why I voted against this bill.I am 100% behind Ukraine in its fight against Putin, but this bill had a poison pill in it that allowed Trump to essentially ignore the sanctions while giving him MORE power to impose tariffs that only increase YOUR costs.…