From CNBC · Azhar Sukri,Amelia Lucas · · 1m 40s
Trump waives Russia sanctions, Zelenskyy calls it wrong
President Trump suspended key provisions of new Russia sanctions two days before they took effect, drawing Ukrainian condemnation and Russian praise.
In brief
President Trump suspended key provisions of new Russia sanctions two days before they took effect, drawing Ukrainian condemnation and Russian praise. Trump invoked a national-interest waiver to suspend duties on Russian goods and tariffs on major Russian energy buyers, angering Ukraine and Democrats. Originally…
Trump suspends Russia sanctions
President Donald Trump signed an executive order late Friday waiving key parts of new U.S. sanctions on Russia, citing national interest.
“I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver is in the national interests of the United States.”
What the Graham Act required
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of twenty twenty-six required Trump to increase duties on all Russian goods by up to five hundred percent and impose tariffs of up to one hundred…
Zelenskyy condemns the waiver
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the decision to waive sanctions seems wrong and only helps Russia, fueling their desire to keep killing people.
“The decision to undo all of this, to block all of it, seems wrong to me. And it definitely helps only the Russians.”
Russia calls it historic
Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin's economy envoy, called the suspension of Graham Act provisions a historic moment enabling U.S.-Russia economic dialogue and peacemaking efforts.
“The suspension of some of the provisions of the Graham Act marks an important and truly historic moment.”
Democrats attack the move
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat who drafted the Graham Act, condemned Trump for standing with Russia over Americans, Congress, and European allies.
“Donald Trump confirms again that he stands on the side of a bloodthirsty thug & the enablers of Russia's war machine.”
Zelenskyy warns of more relief
Speaking in Brussels on Friday, Zelenskyy warned that the U.S.-Russia diesel agreement could set a precedent for further sanctions relief on gas, banking, and other sectors.
“Sanctions will be lifted after gas. They will be lifted on something else. Then this will come to the banking system.”
Zelenskyy expects more waivers
Zelenskyy said he expects Trump to waive other sanctions on Russia, posting that sanctions relief will continue and the diesel deal and Graham Act move are not the end of it.
“Sanctions relief will continue. I think the diesel deal and the move regarding the Lindsey Graham Act are not the end of it. Unfortunately.”
Here's the gist
Trump invoked a national-interest waiver to suspend duties on Russian goods and tariffs on major Russian energy buyers, angering Ukraine and Democrats.
