President Donald Trump waived sweeping new sanctions on Russia that Congress passed, saying in a Friday executive order that the move "is in the national interests of the United States." He had signed the bill only last month. It targeted Russia's largest buyers of oil and gas and allowed tariffs on goods from those countries, which may include China and India. The Senate passed it 86-11.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump wants 60 days to analyze the impact on the U.S. and global economy given pressure on energy supplies. The hold follows a deal Trump announced with Vladimir Putin last week to release hundreds of thousands of tons of Russian diesel onto the global market as fuel prices soar. Trump called the waiver "a very good decision."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it an "American sanctions blackout" and "a financial reward for Putin" that will encourage further attacks. Republican Sens. Ted Cruz and Thom Tillis, as well as Rep. Mike Lawler, also criticized the decision, with Tillis calling it "beyond irresponsible."