Trump Halts New Russia Sanctions at Last Minute

President Trump has halted new sanctions against Russia at the last minute, despite having signed them into law last month. The move comes just before the measures were set to take effect. In a Friday executive order, Trump made exceptions for certain sanctions, restrictions, and tariffs tied to the Graham Act, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The law, signed in September, targeted Russian officials, oligarchs, and financial institutions, and was intended to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine. Trump justified the easing as being in US national interests, without further explanation. He has also struck a deal to buy diesel from Russia, hoping to lower fuel prices ahead of the midterm elections, while relations with Ukraine have deteriorated.