According to reports from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the American National Broadcasting Company (NBC), on October 16 local time, U.S. President Trump used his presidential authority to suspend several new sanctions against Russia that were passed by the U.S. Congress.
On the evening of the 16th local time, Trump signed an executive order stating that suspending the sanctions is in accordance with the “national interests” of the United States. The related sanctions bill was signed into law by Trump on September 9, and it was originally scheduled to take effect on October 18.
This bill aims to target the Russian economy and grants Trump broad authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on Russia’s five major oil and gas importing countries, including China and India.
In addition, the sanctions in the bill target Russian President Putin, senior officials of the Russian government, several banks and financial institutions, as well as the Russian oil tankers that are used to circumvent existing sanctions, known as the ‘shadow fleet’.
This sanctions bill against Russia was named after the late Republican senator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham. Before her death on July 11th, Graham was one of the most staunch supporters of Ukraine within Washington.
Graham’s sister, Darlene Graham, is one of the co-sponsors of the bill. She has always regarded the success of this bill as a crucial step in her campaign, aiming to secure the Senate seat left by her brother.
Darnell is a staunch ally of Trump, and Trump's support was crucial for her victory in the Republican primary elections. Additionally, she has not criticized Trump's oil deal with Russia or her decision to block that bill.
On the 15th local time, 20 bipartisan American lawmakers jointly wrote a letter to Trump, expressing gratitude for Trump’s signing of the sanctions bill, and urging him to ‘fully and faithfully implement’ the bill.
In the letter, the lawmakers wrote that the bill would “force Putin to take peace negotiations seriously and play a decisive role,” and called on the Trump administration to “implement the sanctions provisions of the Graham Act without delay and to their fullest extent.”
Just a few days ago, Trump announced that the United States would import Russian diesel in order to lower domestic energy prices before the mid-term elections in November. The related plan shocked American lawmakers, leading to joint opposition from both parties.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy complained that this agreement is equivalent to giving Putin a big gift, which is like "continuing to supply blood for a war that should have been ended."
