WASHINGTON (AP) – President Donald Trump signed a decree on Friday suspending a a new package of radical sanctions targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress that the pause was in the national interest.
Trump personally signed the law last month, and its decision came just two days before the deadline set by the law itself for its implementation. Named for the late South Carolina senator. Lindsey Grahamhe had sought to more quickly repress the flow of financial resources fueling the war against Ukraine.
Trump’s unexpected move comes a week after he made a stunning declaration that the United States had agreed to buy diesel from Russia to try to lower global energy prices, even though it could hurt Ukraine in its war with Russia.
A survey from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research published on October 1, it appears that Americans disapprove of the way the president has managed the war in Iran and blame him for rising prices. Trump’s approval ratings have fallen to near-historic lows and pressure is mounting as Republicans try to maintain control of both houses of Congress after midterm elections on November 3.
Sanctions were seen as part of Graham’s legacy
Graham, a close ally and friend of the president, had has just returned from Ukraine when, unexpectedly, he died in July. He had advocated tougher U.S. sanctions against Russia to pressure it into ending its war in Ukraine.
His congressional colleagues responded with bipartisan support after his death, and Trump put his signature on the legislation — then changed his mind on Friday.
This package aimed to starve the Russian president Vladimir Putin resources Moscow needs to continue its war in Ukraine after invading its neighbor more than four years ago. The bill, also authored by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut, sought to sanction Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of oil tankers that transport Russian energy.
He also ordered Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with the exception of countries that import less than 15% of Russian natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce such imports.
Virginia Democratic Rep. Don Beyer noted on social media shortly after the sanctions suspension was announced that he and others had “warned” that Trump might make such a move. The veteran congressman, who spoke against the bill during his debate, called on Congress to “fix this flawed law to prevent Trump from capitulating to Putin and ensure he truly supports Ukraine.”
The White House did not immediately explain how the suspension of sanctions was in the national interest. The decision was posted on the White House website late in the evening, and the notification stated that the report explaining the decision had been submitted to Congress.
Yet this comes as Trump increasingly attacks the Ukrainian president. Volodymyr Zelenskyaccusing him of failing to reach an agreement with Putin to end the fighting.
The Trump administration, meanwhile, has remained mostly silent since passing the bill with large majorities in the House and Senate following Graham’s sudden death – along with lawmakers. in a hurry to move forward by Zelensky.
Trump’s action follows announced diesel deal with Putin
The president’s latest action also followed last week’s announcement that he had reached an agreement with Putin.
Trump said Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel, followed by another 500,000 tons in November and a million tons “immediately thereafter.” Russia will then deliver another 3 million tonnes “in a short period of time,” he wrote.
Trump’s conclusion of a diesel deal with Putin was pilloried by both Republicans and Democrats who say it will help Russia wage its war against Ukraine – without changing global fuel prices, which are high mainly because of Trump’s war against Iran.
Meanwhile, the sanctions that Trump suspended have also become a centerpiece of the senator’s campaign. Darline Grahamthe sister of the late senator who was appointed to fill the remaining months of his current term. She 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 were here to celebrate this historic day. » During a debate earlier this week with Democratic candidate Annie Andrews, Graham — who has Trump’s support and is expected to campaign with him in South Carolina next week — said she had been “so proud” to have helped pass the measure.
She acknowledged, however, that how he implemented the project was within the president’s purview.
“It gives the president tools that he can use if he wants to end the war through economic sanctions,” Graham said Sunday during a debate in Colombia. “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 bring gas prices down and ultimately end the war. And when the war ends, gas prices will go down.”
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