Trump Waives Sanctions on Russian Energy Imports Ahead of Graham Act
President Trump waives sanctions on Russian energy importers ahead of the Graham Act’s implementation, drawing criticism from Ukraine.
3 min read
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to waive multiple sanctions on Russian energy importers, aiming to lower diesel prices amid rising global fuel costs. The move suspends the recently passed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act’s 100% tariff on the five largest Russian fossil fuel importers before the law takes effect on Sunday.
The waiver, which provides notice to Congress, follows Trump’s announcement in October that the U.S. and Russia had reached an agreement to import millions of diesel barrels into global markets. The order also temporarily suspends the 500% tariffs on Russian goods until senior administration officials determine further action is appropriate.
Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, praised the waiver in an X post, calling it a historic moment for U.S.-Russia economic cooperation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, criticized the decision in an X post, arguing it undermines efforts to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
The US-Russia economic dialogue and peacemaking efforts will continue. 🕊️ Some thoughts on suspending some provisions of the Graham Act 👇 https://t.co/lzjwdwFzxJ
Zelenskyy wrote, “At a time when the Russians have carried out such a massive attack on our energy sector, a decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end.” He added that the Act could still make a difference if it is implemented effectively.
Yesterday, the Russians carried out one of their largest attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector – more than 15 critical power generation and transmission facilities were targeted across different regions of Ukraine. Restoration work is ongoing, with all necessary services and all available resources of Ukrainian energy companies involved. I thank everyone working practically nonstop to restore power. The most difficult situation was in Lutsk, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Shepetivka, Slavuta, and Netishyn. Energy facilities in the Kharkiv, Kyiv, Dnipro, and other regions were also hit. The Russians have scaled up their anti-energy operation and are trying to stretch our reserves and repair capabilities as thin as possible. Between 7 p.m. yesterday and 7 a.m. today alone, more than 320 jet-powered and gasoline-powered “shaheds,” along with loitering munitions, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles, were used against our energy sector, our cities, and our communities. And although our warriors are shooting down a significant number of them, the sheer scale and unrelenting pace of Russia’s strikes, specifically against our energy sector, are unfortunately having severe consequences. It is important that our European partners have already prepared new support packages for Ukraine. I am grateful to them for this. And it is important that everyone in America also sees what is really happening. At a time when the Russians have carried out such a massive attack on our energy sector, a decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end. This Act could have helped enormously – and still can! But it needs to actually work, and every voice in support of it matters. Russia is trying to cause a blackout in Ukraine – right before winter. Russia is trying to leave millions of our people without electricity and heating. Pressure is needed to stop this. A U.S. sanctions blackout, easing pressure on the aggressor, financial rewards for Putin – all of this only encourages him to keep attacking. We must not give up ground. We must keep trying to end the war. To end it, not give Putin every reason to continue it indefinitely. I thank everyone who is truly fighting for peace and helping Ukraine!
Trump’s decision comes after he criticized Zelenskyy for targeting Russian fuel refineries during the Russo-Ukrainian War. Trump argued that attacking refineries would cause global diesel shortages and harm U.S. farmers and ranchers. The White House, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, and Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s requests for comment.
Source: Daily Caller
