President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Friday evening to waive a sweeping package of sanctions against Russia just two days before the measures were set to take effect, triggering immediate backlash from Republican lawmakers and deepening an already volatile rift with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The sanctions, passed by Congress and signed into law by Trump in September, were designed to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the top purchasers of Russian oil and gas and to target senior Russian officials, financial institutions, and Moscow's shadow fleet of vessels. By invoking national security concerns, Trump suspended many of these provisions overnight, prompting accusations from both parties that the move capitulates to the Kremlin and undermines congressional intent.

The Late-Night Waiver

On Friday evening, Trump issued an executive order suspending numerous sanctions against Russia that Congress had passed and that he himself had signed into law in September. The order cited national security concerns as justification for the suspension, effectively blocking measures that were set to take effect within days. The sanctions package, formally named after Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who died in July, was one of the most comprehensive pieces of Russia-focused legislation to reach the president's desk in recent years.

The law targeted multiple pillars of the Russian economy. It granted Trump broad authority to levy tariffs of up to 100 percent on imports from the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, with China and India being the most significant. It also included sanctions against senior Russian figures, including President Vladimir Putin, as well as Russian financial institutions and the so-called shadow fleet of vessels used to circumvent existing embargoes. Many of these provisions have now been waived.

Why It Matters

The timing of the waiver could not have been more consequential. Russian forces had carried out overnight attacks on 15 Ukrainian energy facilities, causing power cuts across several regions of Ukraine. Zelensky pointed to these strikes when describing the decision as deeply unfortunate, arguing that the sanctions were supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring the war to an end. The Ukrainian president emphasized that the law could have helped enormously in limiting the funding Russia could deploy in its military campaign.

The waiver also arrives amid a broader deterioration in relations between Washington and Kyiv. The United States struck a controversial deal to import Russian diesel the previous week, a move that drew sharp criticism from Ukraine. Kyiv then accused the Trump administration of withdrawing key military support. Trump and Zelensky have exchanged pointed remarks about one another in recent weeks, with Zelensky declaring it was nice to be among real leaders while addressing an EU summit, following Trump's characterization of Zelensky as more difficult to deal with than Putin.

Political Context

The backlash to the waiver has cut across party lines, though the most striking criticism has come from within Trump's own Republican ranks. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, a senior Republican, labeled the move beyond irresponsible. The Hill reported that several GOP lawmakers joined in condemning the decision, signaling that the president's foreign policy pivot on Russia is fracturing his coalition even as it deepens tensions with Ukraine.

On the Democratic side, Congressman Don Beyer of Virginia accused Trump of capitulating to Moscow and turning his back on Kyiv. Beyer argued that the move betrays Ukrainian partners and defies the clear congressional intent of legislation designed to punish Russia for its illegal war of aggression. The bipartisan nature of the criticism underscores how unusual the waiver is, even by the standards of a president who has frequently challenged congressional authority.

Russia's reaction was swift and celebratory. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev called the waiver an important and truly historic moment, posting on X that the sanctions would have inflicted serious damage primarily on the United States and the global market, and that economic cooperation benefits both nations.

What Officials and Groups Are Saying

Zelensky's response, delivered Saturday morning, framed the waiver as a missed opportunity to apply meaningful pressure on Russia. He noted that the sanctions law was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring the war to an end, and he pointed to the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure as evidence of Moscow's continued aggression. The Ukrainian president's tone reflected frustration rather than surprise, suggesting that Kyiv had anticipated the possibility of a waiver given the administration's recent posture toward Moscow.

Trump's justification centered on national security, though the specific rationale for invoking that authority has not been fully detailed in the executive order. The move follows a pattern in which the president has used executive authority to override or reshape congressional legislation, but the scale of the sanctions package and the bipartisan opposition it has drawn make this waiver particularly notable.

Timeline

  • September 2026: Trump signs the Russia sanctions package into law, a measure named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
  • Mid-October 2026: The United States strikes a controversial deal to import Russian diesel, drawing criticism from Ukraine.
  • October 15, 2026: Russian forces attack 15 Ukrainian energy facilities overnight, causing power cuts in several regions.
  • October 16, 2026 (Friday evening): Trump signs an executive order waiving multiple Russia sanctions, citing national security concerns.
  • October 17, 2026 (Saturday): Zelensky publicly decries the waiver. GOP lawmakers including Senator Tillis condemn the move. Russian envoy Dmitriev praises the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sanctions did Trump waive?

Trump waived multiple provisions of a Russia sanctions package that Congress passed and he signed into law in September. The package included tariffs of up to 100 percent on top purchasers of Russian oil and gas, sanctions against senior Russian officials including Putin, restrictions on Russian financial institutions, and measures targeting Moscow's shadow fleet of vessels.

Why did Trump waive the sanctions?

The executive order cited national security concerns as the justification. The specific rationale has not been fully detailed, but the move follows a broader pattern of the president using executive authority to reshape congressional legislation.

How did Zelensky respond?

Zelensky described the decision as unfortunate and argued that the sanctions could have helped enormously in pressuring Russia to end the war. He pointed to ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure as evidence of the continued need for sanctions pressure.

Did Republicans support the waiver?

No. Several GOP lawmakers criticized the move. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina called it beyond irresponsible, marking a notable instance of intra-party opposition to the president's foreign policy direction.

What is the broader context of US-Ukraine tensions?

Relations between Washington and Kyiv have deteriorated over multiple issues, including the controversial Russian diesel import deal, alleged withdrawal of military support, and public exchanges between Trump and Zelensky. The sanctions waiver is the latest flashpoint in an increasingly strained relationship.

What Happens Next

The sanctions waiver is likely to draw further anger from Ukraine and intensify the diplomatic rift between Washington and Kyiv. Zelensky has long stressed the need for stringent sanctions to limit Russia's war funding, and the suspension of these measures removes a key tool that Congress believed could pressure Moscow. The bipartisan backlash from US lawmakers suggests that the waiver may face renewed scrutiny, though Trump's executive authority gives him significant latitude to maintain the suspension. For now, the decision stands as a stark signal of the administration's willingness to prioritize a thaw with Russia over the sanctions framework that Congress built to punish Moscow for its war against Ukraine.