Trump waives several Russia sanctions as row with Zelensky intensifies
The president paused sanctions under a new law shortly before they were due to take effect.
TL;DR
- Trump issued an order waiving key Russia-related sanctions before the new measures took effect, multiple outlets reported.
- The administration said the waiver served US national interests; Zelensky and lawmakers criticized the move.
- The order’s practical duration and effects on enforcement remain dependent on its terms and implementation.
The BBC reported that President Donald Trump waived several Russia sanctions as tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky intensified. AFP and Axios reported that the waiver concerned measures under a law signed the prior month and was issued shortly before they were due to take effect. [1] [2] [3]
The White House described the decision as being in the US national interest, according to Axios. AFP reported that the law authorized duties of up to 100% on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas; the waiver delayed the threatened measures. [2] [3]
Zelensky criticized the move, while Al Jazeera reported bipartisan backlash in the US. The coverage describes a widening dispute over Washington’s pressure on Moscow and support for Kyiv. [3] [4]
The available reports establish the order and immediate political reactions, but they do not settle how long the waiver will remain or how broadly agencies will apply it. Those points depend on the order’s text and subsequent implementation. [1] [2] [4]
Why it matters
The waiver shifts the near-term pressure available under the new sanctions law and adds strain to US-Ukraine relations.
Editor's note
Compared BBC, AFP, Axios and Al Jazeera; implementation details remain open.