# Trump Waives Russia Sanctions, Deepens Ukraine Tensions

> Trump’s sanctions waiver for Russia risks worsening U.S.-Ukraine relations amid diesel deal claims.
- Title: Trump Waives Russia Sanctions, Deepens Ukraine Tensions · TIME
- Summary: Trump’s sanctions waiver for Russia risks worsening U.S.-Ukraine relations amid diesel deal claims. Trump waived new Russia sanctions to ease diesel prices…
- Keywords: trump, ukraine, sanctions, diesel, russia, lindsey graham, seahawks, nfl, news, world, Waives, Deepens
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/10/17/what-trump-s-waiver-of-new-russia-sanctions-means-for-ukraine
- Author: Rebecca Schneid
- Published: 2026-10-17T19:17:33+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: trump, ukraine, sanctions, diesel, russia, lindsey graham, seahawks, nfl, news, world
## Trump Signs Sanctions Waiver
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday that waives many sanctions in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.
## Waiver Follows Diesel Deal
The waiver came a week after Trump announced a diesel deal with Russia, underscoring fraying U.S.-Ukraine relations.
## Sanctions Law Details
The law, set to take effect Oct. 18, targeted Russian officials, financial institutions, and imposed up to 100% tariffs on goods from major Russian oil buyers.
## U.K. Sanctions Estimate
The U.K.’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office estimated international sanctions deprived Russia of at least $450 billion in war funds since February 2022.
## Trump Pushes Ukraine to Halt Strikes
Trump urged Ukraine to scale back attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, claiming those strikes drive up U.S. fuel prices.
## Ukraine Rejects Trump’s Claim
Ukraine reported Russian strikes on energy infrastructure hours after Trump claimed Russia and Ukraine agreed to an 'energy ceasefire'.
## Trump Calls for Zelensky Replacement
Trump called for Ukraine to replace President Volodymyr Zelensky, further straining U.S.-Ukraine relations.
## Experts Question Deal Impact
Experts say the diesel deal may have only a modest short-term effect on wholesale prices, with minimal consumer benefits.
## Sanctions Waiver Blocks New Pressure
The waiver blocks additional pressure the new sanctions were intended to exert on Russia’s war funding.
## Zelensky Criticizes Waiver
Zelensky wrote the waiver 'seems wrong' and 'definitely helps only the Russians' by fueling their war efforts.
## U.S. Withdraws Support for Ukraine
Analysts say the waiver signals U.S. withdrawal from active European leadership, diminishing support for Ukraine.
## Trump Waives Sanctions via Safety Valve
Trump used a safety valve provision in the law to waive sanctions after submitting a certification to Congress that it was in the national interest.
## Key takeaway

Trump waived new Russia sanctions to ease diesel prices but deepened Ukraine tensions with U.S.