Donald Trump doesn’t give up, he continues to hammer against Volodymyr Zelensky and to actually reach out to Putin. The tycoon’s latest move is to suspend important sanctions and export duties against Russia provided for by the “Lindsey Graham Act”, a few days before it comes into force. Their effectiveness would have complicated his efforts to reduce diesel prices ahead of the Nov. 3 midterm elections.
The decision
The stop concerns the law he promulgated last month, strongly supported by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away in July a few days after returning from Kiev, to punish Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
The measure codified and expanded sanctions against Moscow. The waivers are justified by national interest, exempt Russian goods from tariffs and suspend sanctions against individuals and entities, although pre-existing sanctions remain in place. The United States, through various agencies, will monitor purchases of Russian oil and attempts to evade sanctions, maintaining the power to revoke exemptions if necessary.
Trump said he had sent the requested certification to Congress, along with a report explaining the reasons behind the decision. The measure invokes Section 115 of the Graham Act, which authorizes the President to suspend sanctions against foreign persons, restrictions on persons and duties imposed by law, subject to compliance with the required reporting obligations. “I have certified to Congress that granting this waiver is in the national interest of the United States at this time,” Trump said in the order, posted on the White House website.
Crossfire
The decision is the target of bipartisan criticism, according to which easing restrictions on Russian oil could provide Moscow with unexpected revenue as it continues its war against Ukraine. However, the order does not eliminate all US sanctions currently in place against Russia. Trump explicitly stated that the waiver would not affect sanctions and other measures imposed “pursuant to prior executive orders on specific harmful foreign activities related to the Russian government.”
“Historic moment”
The suspension of some provisions of the Graham Act marks “an important and truly historic moment”, comments Kirill Dmitriev, special representative of the Russian president for investments, on X. “Economic cooperation between Russia and the United States serves the interests of both nations, contributes to global economic stability, and lays the foundation for building trust and achieving lasting peace. Instead of sanctions and confrontation, we need dialogue, mutually beneficial cooperation, and shared responsibility for global stability,” he adds.