Following oil deal with Putin, Trump suspends sanctions against Russia approved in September

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the temporary suspension of a broad package of new sanctions against Russia. The executive order was signed on Friday, on the grounds that the suspension is in the national interest of the United States.

The decision came just one month after Trump had signed the relevant legislation. It also follows a controversial agreement between Washington and Moscow to supply large quantities of Russian oil, in an effort to curb international energy prices. The development has revived questions about the U.S. administration’s policy toward Russia, as the conflict in Ukraine continues.

The new measure suspends the implementation of some of the economic provisions included in the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” which President Trump signed into law on September 18.

The legislation is named after the late senator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham, and was approved with broad bipartisan support in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The law’s main aim was to weaken Moscow’s financial resources, which enable it to continue military operations against Ukraine, through tougher sanctions and trade restrictions.

Since its passage, the Trump administration has maintained a cautious stance, despite pressure from lawmakers and senators, as well as calls from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for stronger economic sanctions against Russia.

Through this order, Trump is invoking a provision of the law that authorizes the president to delay the implementation of certain sanctions if he notifies Congress in writing that such action serves the national interest of the United States.

The suspension covers only the new sanctions and tariffs provided for in this law. It does not automatically cancel the punitive measures that the United States had previously imposed on Russia.

The order also stipulates that the exemptions will remain in effect until the president or the relevant U.S. authorities make another decision.