Trump suspends new US sanctions on Russian oil and gas

President Trump has suspended new US sanctions on Russian oil and gas that were set to take effect tomorrow, October 18, citing "the national interest of the United States." The suspended measures, mandated by a law passed last month, included tariffs up to 500% on Russian imports and sanctions on banks, the energy sector, and oligarchs. Trump's executive order notifies Congress of the waiver, though previously existing sanctions remain in place. The decision follows a recent US-Russia diesel import agreement and comes ahead of November 3 midterm elections, with Republicans facing voter anger over high fuel prices. The law's author, Senator Lindsey Graham, died in July.