Trump Waives US Sanctions and Tariffs Targeting Russia’s Energy Revenues

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order waiving sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia’s energy revenues under legislation approved last month, marking a shift in Washington’s approach to economic pressure on Moscow.

The order, signed on Friday, suspends the application of measures authorised by the Lindsey Graham Act, which gave Trump the power to impose duties of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.

“As described further in section 4 of this order, I am hereby waiving the application of such sanctions, restrictions, and duties provided for in the Graham Act,” the executive order stated.

The legislation was named after the late US senator Lindsey Graham, who sponsored the bill. It was designed to increase pressure on Russia over its war in Ukraine by targeting the country’s energy and defence sectors, President Vladimir Putin and other senior officials.

The measures also covered Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, a network of tankers used to transport Russian oil while attempting to circumvent Western sanctions.

Trump’s decision to waive the restrictions follows a controversial agreement with Putin involving Russian diesel exports to the United States and international markets in exchange for sanctions relief.

Under the arrangement announced by Trump, Russia was expected to release 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by another 500,000 tonnes in November and an additional one million tonnes at a later stage. The US Treasury Department subsequently issued a temporary licence to facilitate the deliveries.

The agreement has raised concerns among European officials, who argue that easing restrictions on Russian energy exports could weaken Western efforts to limit Moscow’s revenues while the war in Ukraine continues.

Relations between Washington and Kyiv have also deteriorated following the deal. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the agreement, describing it as a “weak decision”.

Ukraine has continued its campaign against Russian energy infrastructure, with Ukrainian forces resuming attacks on oil refineries in an effort to disrupt Moscow’s fuel production and revenue streams.

The latest executive order comes as the United States faces competing priorities in enforcing sanctions against Russia and managing pressure on international energy markets. Restrictions on Russian oil and gas have been a central element of Western efforts to punish Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.

The waiver represents a significant change in the implementation of the legislation, although the precise scope and duration of the exemptions will depend on the provisions set out in the executive order.

The decision is likely to remain contentious among US allies, particularly those seeking to maintain economic pressure on Russia while supporting Ukraine’s defence.