Trump is delaying new sanctions against Russia that he recently signed into law, citing national interests – National

President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order delaying a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s economy, and told Congress the pause was in the national interest.

Trump personally signed the law last month and his move came just two days before the law’s deadline for its implementation. This received criticism from members of Congress from the Democratic Party.

Named after the late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, the law seeks to more quickly curb the flow of financial resources that fueled the war against Ukraine.

Trump’s unexpected decision comes a week after he shockingly said the US had agreed to buy diesel from Russia in a bid to lower global energy prices, even though it could potentially hurt Ukraine in its war with Russia.

An AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published on Oct. 1 found that Americans disapprove of the president’s handling of the Iran war and blame the president for higher prices. Trump’s approval ratings have plunged to historic lows and pressure is mounting as Republicans try to maintain control of both chambers of Congress after the midterm elections on November 3.

Sanctions are seen as part of Graham’s legacy

Graham, a close ally and friend of the president, had just returned from Ukraine when he died unexpectedly in July. He advocated stricter US sanctions against Russia as a way to pressure Russia to end the war in Ukraine.

His colleagues in Congress responded with bipartisan support after his death and Trump signed the legislation – then changed his mind on Friday.

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The package is intended to starve Russian President Vladimir Putin of the resources Moscow needs to continue its war in Ukraine after invading its neighbor more than four years ago. The bill, also drafted by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., seeks to sanction Russian officials, banks and the shadowy tanker fleet that keeps Russian energy flowing.

It also directs Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with exceptions for countries that import less than 15% of Russian natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those imports.

Blumenthal said in a statement that Trump was ignoring “the majority of Americans, their representatives in both houses of Congress, and our allies in Europe.”

“This exclusion has nothing to do with our national security, and everything to do with Vladimir Putin’s fawning,” Blumenthal said.

Democratic Representative from Virginia, Don Beyer, said on social media shortly after the sanctions suspension announcement that he and others had “warned” Trump might take such action. The veteran congressman, who opposed the bill while it was still being debated, called on Congress to “fix this flawed legislation to stop Trump from capitulating to Putin and ensure that Congress truly supports Ukraine.”

The White House did not immediately explain how suspending sanctions was in the national interest. The decision was posted on the White House website late last night, and the notice noted that a report explaining the decision had been submitted to Congress.

However, this came as Trump increasingly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, blaming him for failing to strike a deal with Putin to end the fighting.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration has remained largely silent since passing the bill with large majorities in the House and Senate following Graham’s sudden death – and lawmakers are being urged on by Zelenskyy.

Trump’s action follows the announcement of a diesel deal with Putin

Under last week’s agreement, Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons “shortly thereafter.”

Trump’s diesel fuel deal with Putin has been pilloried by Republicans and Democrats who say it would help Russia carry out its war against Ukraine – without making a difference to global fuel prices, which have risen largely because of Trump’s war on Iran.

Meanwhile, the sanctions now suspended by Trump are also central to the campaign of Senator Darline Graham, the late senator’s sister who was appointed to serve out the remainder of his current term. He is now running to replace him in the Senate on a more permanent basis.

Darline Graham said in a statement after Trump signed the bill, “I wish Lindsey was here to celebrate this historic day.” In a debate earlier this week with Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, Graham – who has Trump’s endorsement and is expected to campaign with him in South Carolina next week – said he was “very proud” to help pass the legislation.

However, he admitted that it was the president’s authority to implement it.

“This gives the president a tool that he can use, if he wants, to end the war through economic sanctions,” Graham said Sunday during a debate in Columbia. “So, it’s up to him whether he wants to use it or not, or whether he wants to use something else, but I think the goal is to lower the price of gas and ultimately end the war. And when the war ends, the price of gas will go down.”

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