Trump waives Russia sanctions, citing US interests

President Donald Trump has waived numerous Russia sanctions mandated by a new US law, citing US national interests, just days before the legislation was set to take effect on Sunday. The executive order, issued Friday night, blocks parts of the sanctions bill Congress passed to punish Moscow for its war on Ukraine. Trump signed the law in September but now withholds certain measures, following his announcement that the US would import Russian diesel to lower energy prices before the November midterm elections. The law, named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, targets Russia's economy, including tariffs on major oil buyers like China and India, and sanctions on Putin and Russian banks. A bipartisan group of 20 lawmakers urged Trump to fully implement the law, arguing it is crucial for forcing Putin into peace talks.