Trump Waives Russia Sanctions Days Before Law Takes Effect most dangerous countries
US President Donald Trump has issued a broad waiver on new sanctions against Russia under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act just days before the measures were due to take effect in most dangerous countries, citing US national interests.
Trump Waives Major Russia Sanctions
The executive order largely waives tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India, as well as sanctions on Putin, Russian officials, banks and the shadow fleet. [3] The law was signed by Donald Trump in September and was due to take effect on Sunday. [3] President Trump said in the executive order that it is in the US national interests to withhold some of the sanctions. [3] The same order increases the duty on goods from Russia by 500% and by 100% on goods from the top five importers of crude oil and natural gas that originated in Russia, yet the executive order largely waives these measures. [4] Trump signed the sanctions bill into law in September, and it was due to take effect on Sunday. [3] The US sanctions law is named for the late Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. [3]
Context of the Diesel Import Deal
The decision follows Trump's announcement of a deal to import Russian diesel to lower US energy prices ahead of midterm elections, drawing bipartisan criticism and condemnation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. [3] It comes days after Trump said the US would import Russian diesel in an effort to bring down US energy prices before the midterm elections in November. [3] On Oct. 9 Trump said Russia had agreed to supply millions of tons of diesel fuel to the US and global markets following a call with Putin. [4] The plan shocked lawmakers and has triggered a bipartisan backlash. [3] On Thursday a bipartisan group of 20 US lawmakers issued a letter calling on Trump to respect the new law which is due to take effect on 18 October. [3]
Reactions from Congress and Ukraine
A bipartisan group of US lawmakers urged full implementation of the law arguing it would force Putin to take peace talks seriously. [3] The lawmakers thanked Trump for signing the sanctions bill and urged his full and faithful implementation of the law. [3] They said it would be decisive in forcing Putin to take peace talks seriously. [3] Zelensky warned that the diesel deal could lead to further sanctions relief for Moscow including on gas and other areas. [4] President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Oct. 16 that Trump's diesel deal with Russia risks paving the way for further sanctions relief for Moscow. [4] In my view we cannot accept these agreements because gas deals will follow and I am absolutely certain of this after gas they will lift sanctions on other things as well he said. [4] Democratic Representative Don Beyer said Trump just waived all of the sanctions on Russia provided for in the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia Act just as I and others warned he would. [4]
Trump's Criticism of Zelensky
Trump has publicly criticized Zelensky demanded Ukraine halt attacks on Russian refineries and suggested Ukrainians replace him if they want to end the war. [4] On Oct. 10 Trump lashed out at Zelensky demanding he halt attacks on Russian refineries and suggesting the Ukrainian people replace him as their leader if they want an end to the war. [4] Trump also lambasted Zelensky for supposedly exacerbating the global diesel supply crisis. [4] We said you could do whatever you want to Russia don't hit the refineries because that's a world problem that's caused Trump claimed. [4]
Russian Warnings on Afghanistan Threats
Separately Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that security threats from Afghanistan including ISKP activity persist and could affect Central Asia and Russia. [1] Speaking at a security conference in Moscow involving the Collective Security Treaty Organization the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Lavrov said Islamic State Khorasan Province was seeking to undermine the Taliban authorities ability to maintain stability and expand militant activity into Central Asia and Russia. [1] Lavrov said Russia would continue providing economic and humanitarian assistance to the Afghan population. [1] He also emphasized Moscow's support for efforts to strengthen security along the Afghanistan–Tajikistan border including assistance through the CSTO. [1] Tajikistan has reported security incidents in border areas including attacks that killed or wounded Chinese nationals and workers involved in construction and mining projects. [1]
Maritime Security in the Strait of Hormuz
UKMTO reports 12 attacks on vessels in past week including container ship that caught fire and sank. [2] Strait of Hormuz transits remain 70% below pre-conflict levels according to the UK maritime agency. [2]
What to watch next: Lawmakers may push to fix the Graham Act while regional meetings continue on Afghanistan border security and vessel transits in the Strait of Hormuz stay reduced.
