Trump puts new Russia sanctions that he recently signed into law on
hold, citing national interest
[October 17, 2026]
By WILL WEISSERT and MEG KINNARD
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive
order that puts on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the
Russian economy, telling Congress the pause was in the national
interest.
Trump personally signed the legislation just last month and his move
came just two days before a deadline set in the law itself for its
implementation. It drew shift condemnation from congressional Democrats.
Named after late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, the legislation had
sought to clamp down more quickly on the flow of financial resources
fueling the war against Ukraine.
Trump's unexpected decision comes a week after he stunningly said the
U.S. had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia to try to bring down
global energy prices, despite that potentially hurting Ukraine in its
war with Russia.
An AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published Oct. 1
found that Americans disapprove of the president's handling of the Iran
war and blame him for higher prices. Trump's approval ratings have sunk
to near-historic lows and pressure is mounting as Republicans try to
hold control of both chambers of Congress after midterm elections on
Nov. 3.
Sanctions were seen as part of Graham's legacy
Graham, a close ally and friend of the president, had just returned from
Ukraine when he unexpectedly died in July. He had advocated for stricter
U.S. sanctions against Russia as a way of pressuring it to end its war
in Ukraine.
His colleagues in Congress responded with bipartisan support after his
death and Trump attached his signature to the legislation — then changed
his mind Friday.
The package had been meant 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., had sought to sanction Russian officials,
banks and a shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy moving.
It also directed Trump to impose up to 100% tariffs on the top five
importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries
that import less than 15% of Russia’s natural gas exports and have taken
significant steps to reduce those imports.
Blumenthal said in a statement that Trump was turning his back on "the
majority of Americans, their representatives in both houses of Congress,
and our European allies.”
“These waivers have nothing to do with our national security, and
everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin," Blumenthal said.
Democratic Virginia Rep. Don Beyer noted on social media shortly after
the announcement of the sanctions being suspended that he and others had
“warned" Trump might make such a move. The veteran congressman, who
spoke out against the bill as it was debated, called on Congress to “fix
this flawed law to stop Trump from capitulating to Putin and ensure that
it truly supports Ukraine.”
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President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner at his Mar-a-Lago club,
Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Mark
Schiefelbein)
The White House did not immediately explain how pausing the
sanctions was in the national interest. The decision was posted on
the White House website late in the evening, and the notification
noted that the report explaining the decision had been submitted to
Congress.
Still, it comes as Trump has increasingly lashed out at Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, blaming him for failing to make a
deal with Putin to end the fighting.
The Trump administration, meanwhile, had remained mostly quiet since
the passage of the bill with large majorities in the House and
Senate following Graham’s sudden death — with lawmakers urged ahead
by Zelenskyy.
Trump's action follows announced 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 “immediately
thereafter.”
Trump’s striking a diesel deal with Putin has been pilloried by
Republicans and Democrats alike who say it will help Russia execute
its war against Ukraine -- without making a different to global fuel
prices, which are elevated mostly due to Trump’s war on Iran.
The sanctions that Trump has now suspended, meanwhile, also had
become a campaign centerpiece for Sen. Darline Graham, the late
senator’s sister who was appointed to serve out the remaining months
in his current term. She is now running to replace him in the Senate
more permanently.
Darline Graham said in a statement after Trump signed the bill, “I
wish Lindsey were 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 she had been “so proud” to help get
the measure passed.
She acknowledged, however, that it was the president’s purview as to
how he implemented it.
“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.”
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