Rubio defends 60-day Russia sanctions pause to assess global impact

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the 60-day waiver from Russia sanctions and tariffs on countries like India is a pause to analyze the measures' global and US economic impact. He spoke Saturday before departing for a six-day tour of Uzbekistan and India. Rubio explained the pause allows study of pressures on global energy supplies from the Iran war, Houthi attacks, and the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He noted India, a key US ally, still gets substantial Russian energy despite diversification efforts, and the president needs time to determine the right policy combination. President Donald Trump's Friday executive order waiving provisions of the Graham Act drew bipartisan criticism from senators who called it irresponsible and capitulation to Russia. Trump defended the decision as good for the US and the world, while critics urged Congress to reverse course.