Republicans Criticize Trump's Russia Sanctions Waiver

President Donald Trump waived key sanctions and tariffs from the Russia sanctions law he signed last month, drawing bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who warned it could weaken pressure on Moscow. The decision also drew condemnation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Republican senators including Thom Tillis and John Cornyn criticized the move, with Tillis calling it "beyond irresponsible" and Cornyn saying the late Senator Lindsey Graham "would be appalled." The waiver suspends provisions including a 500 percent tariff on Russian goods and 100 percent tariffs on major importers of Russian oil, which were set to take effect Sunday. The waiver follows Trump's recent diesel deal with Russia aimed at lowering fuel prices, which a bipartisan group of senators urged him to rescind. A Russian envoy praised the decision as "historic," while Democrats accused Trump of capitulating to Putin.