Trump suspends congressional Russia sanctions, citing national interest

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday temporarily suspending a broad package of congressional sanctions against Russia, citing national interest, according to the White House. The move halts key provisions of a law named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham. The suspension exempts sanctions on Russian government-linked entities, financial and trade restrictions, and tariffs on Russian products and goods from certain hydrocarbon-buying countries. It does not remove previously imposed sanctions, and exemptions remain until Trump or the Secretary of State decides otherwise. The decision follows Washington's temporary authorization of Russian diesel trade until April 2027, part of a Trump-Putin agreement announced October 9 to ease energy prices. The deal has drawn bipartisan criticism over potential funding for Russia's war in Ukraine.