Trump signs order freezing Russia sanctions package, says pause is in national interest
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump stepped in Friday, Oct 16, and paused a major Russia sanctions package, even though Congress had overwhelmingly approved it just weeks ago. He said the delay serves America's national interest. This all happened days after he unveiled a deal to bring in Russian diesel to help cut fuel prices.
His decision puts the White House at odds with Congress on Russia policy. It also ramps up pressure on Senate candidates who championed the sanctions as part of their campaigns, with the midterms coming up fast.
Bill was named after late Sen Lindsey Graham
Named after late South Carolina Sen Lindsey Graham, the measure had sought to clamp down more quickly on the flow of financial resources fueling the war against Ukraine.
The move comes a week after Trump stunningly said the US had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia to try and bring down global energy prices, despite that potentially hurting Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Lawmakers pushed the measure through right after Graham's death, trying to stop money from reaching Russia and funding its war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy kept urging them on. Congress moved fast, and the Trump administration said little during the process.
The bill passed easily, with enough support to override a veto. Trump signed it last month, but now he's suddenly decided to freeze the law using executive action. This unexpected move surprised many people in Congress.
Move follows Russian diesel deal announced last week
Trump’s latest action followed the president announcing on social media last week that he had reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call in which he was expected to discuss a suspected case of plague in Russia.
Instead, Trump announced that Russia will immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons “immediately thereafter.”
Russia will deliver an additional 3 million tons “within a short period of time” after that, he wrote.
Sen Darline Graham made the legislation a major focus in her campaign. She stepped in after her late brother was appointed to finish his term, and now she’s pushing to win the seat for good, with Trump backing her bid.
In this week’s debate against Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, Graham said she was “so proud” to help get the measure through. At the same time, she admitted the president still gets to decide how it’s put into effect.
“It gives the president tools that he can use if he so chooses, to end the war through economic sanctions,” Graham said Sunday during a debate in Columbia. “So that’s up to him as to whether or not he wants to use it, or whether he wants to use something else, but I think the purpose of it is to bring down the gas prices and ultimately end the war. And when the war ends, gas prices will fall.”
