Trump suspends Russia sanctions package, drawing bipartisan criticism

President Donald Trump suspended a sweeping Russia sanctions package on Friday, October 16, 2026, just two days before it was set to take effect, drawing bipartisan criticism over his ties to Moscow. The bipartisan legislation, passed by large margins in Congress, targeted Russian officials, banks, and tankers to cut revenue for the war in Ukraine. Democratic Representative Don Beyer urged lawmakers to "fix this flawed law" to prevent Trump from "capitulating to Putin." The suspension follows Trump's recent agreement to purchase Russian diesel to lower fuel prices, which lawmakers argued could fund Russia's war effort. The move comes amid tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.