Trump lifts Russia sanctions in executive order

President Trump has issued an executive order lifting several sanctions against Russia, creating exemptions from restrictions and tariffs imposed under the Graham law. The order was signed Friday, just before a 30-day deadline. The Graham law, signed by Trump in September with bipartisan congressional support, aimed to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine. Trump justified the sanctions relief as being in U.S. national interests, following a diesel deal with Russia announced earlier this week. Trump hopes the diesel agreement with President Vladimir Putin will lower fuel prices before the U.S. midterm elections, as the Iran war has caused price spikes. The deal involves immediate deliveries of 300,000 tons, increasing to 1 million tons, with 3 million more promised. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy says he feels betrayed by the arrangement.