President Donald Trump invoked executive authority on Friday to block enforcement of Russia sanctions that US Congress passed and he signed into law in September. The sanctions, formally known as the Lindsey Graham Law, were scheduled to take effect on Sunday and included measures targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin, senior officials, banks, financial institutions, and Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers used to evade existing restrictions.
Trump claimed the action serves US "national interests." The move follows his announcement on 9 October that he would import Russian diesel to reduce US fuel prices ahead of next month's mid-term elections. The law granted Trump authority to impose tariffs up to 100% on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, notably China and India.
A bipartisan group of 20 US lawmakers issued a letter on Thursday urging Trump to implement the sanctions fully, arguing the measures were "decisive in forcing Putin to take peace talks seriously." Democratic Virginia Congressman Don Beyer accused Trump of "capitulating to Moscow" and betraying Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called Trump's diesel deal "an investment in a war that must be ended." Tensions escalated when Trump claimed on 11 October that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an "energy ceasefire," though he provided no details. Zelensky expressed surprise and said Kyiv would halt strikes if Russia did the same, but Moscow denied any agreement and continued attacks. After three days, Ukraine resumed its strikes, prompting Trump to call the action a "disgrace."
The standoff intensified when restrictions were placed on Starlink internet access critical to Ukraine's military operations. During a Tuesday night slowdown, Russia launched strikes with no prior warning, according to residents and Ukrainian officials. Zelensky called the slowdown a "very dangerous and unpleasant surprise" and reported speeds remained unrestored on Friday. The Trump administration previously warned it could withhold intelligence sharing essential for Ukrainian defences if Kyiv continues targeting Russian oil refineries.
US allies Britain, France, and Germany plan to deploy hundreds of troops to Poland next month for military exercises to support Ukraine's post-war rebuilding efforts, according to UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting.