Republicans and Democrats criticize Trump's waiver of new Russia sanctions
Lawmakers from both parties are criticizing President Trump's executive order waiving new Russia sanctions, which Russia welcomed and Ukraine's president called unfortunate.
Republicans and Democrats have condemned President Donald Trump's decision to waive new sanctions on Russia, Al Jazeera reports. It says they argue the move undermines support for Ukraine.
Trump signed an executive order on Friday waiving the sanctions, which Congress had passed. NBC News quotes the order as saying the move "is in the national interests of the United States." NPR reports Trump told Congress the pause served the national interest but gave no further details.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged support for the sanctions. He called the decision unfortunate and said it would encourage Russia to continue its assault, according to NPR. PBS NewsHour reports he did not directly criticize Trump, despite rising tensions between Kyiv and Washington.
Russia welcomed the waiver on Saturday, France 24 reports. Moscow described it in strongly positive terms, while Ukraine worries Trump is taking Russia's side. Al Jazeera cites analysts who say Russia stands to benefit most.
France 24 says the order waives sanctions and tariffs aimed at Russia's energy revenues. The Guardian says it waives many sanctions, restrictions and duties. Trump signed the legislation last month, and the Guardian says the restrictions were about to take effect.
Al Jazeera says the order came two days before a sanctions deadline and a week after a diesel deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. It also says Trump acted to ease energy prices. The reports give no details of that deal.
The Guardian and Al Jazeera link the move to a widening rift between Trump and Zelenskyy. Trump has publicly criticized Zelenskyy, including by suggesting Ukraine needs a new leader. The reports do not say the two matters are formally connected.
Reported by
- Deutsche WelleTrump puts new Russia sanctions on holdFri, Oct 16, 10:09 PM EDT
- NBC NewsTrump waives new Russia sanctions passed by Congress, citing ‘national interests’Fri, Oct 16, 10:45 PM EDT
- The GuardianTrump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold amid deepening row with UkraineFri, Oct 16, 10:53 PM EDT
- Al JazeeraTrump puts on hold new Russia sanctions he signed into lawSat, Oct 17, 12:45 AM EDT
- Al JazeeraTrump waives Russia sanctions as rift with Zelenskyy widensSat, Oct 17, 12:58 AM EDT
- France 24Trump waives new Russia sanctions as Ukraine ties slumpSat, Oct 17, 5:23 AM EDT
- France 24Russia hails Trump waiving sanctions as 'historic'Sat, Oct 17, 6:41 AM EDT
- Al JazeeraTrump eases Russia oil sanctions, but is Europe still buying Moscow’s gas?Sat, Oct 17, 7:10 AM EDT
- NPRZelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on holdSat, Oct 17, 10:25 AM EDT
- ABC NewsZelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on holdSat, Oct 17, 10:45 AM EDT
- Al JazeeraTrump faces bipartisan backlash over Russia sanctions waiverSat, Oct 17, 1:24 PM EDT
- PBS NewsHourZelenskyy urges support for new U.S. sanctions on Russia put on hold by TrumpSat, Oct 17, 2:02 PM EDT
- NBC NewsPresident Trump faces backlash over Russia sanctions reliefSat, Oct 17, 7:05 PM EDT
- CBS NewsZelenskyy says Trump's decision to waive new sanctions on Russia "seems wrong"Sat, Oct 17, 10:38 PM EDT
- France 24Rubio says Trump to 'analyze' global impact of Russia sanctions during pauseSat, Oct 17, 10:39 PM EDT
This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.
Earlier versions (5)
- Sat, Oct 17, 10:35 AM EDT, 6 outlets: Zelenskyy urges backing for Russia sanctions after Trump waives them
- Sat, Oct 17, 5:30 AM EDT, 5 outlets: Trump waives new Russia sanctions and tariffs as Ukraine ties worsen
- Sat, Oct 17, 1:10 AM EDT, 4 outlets: Trump puts new Russia sanctions on hold two days before deadline
- Sat, Oct 17, 12:20 AM EDT, 3 outlets: Trump waives new Russia sanctions passed by Congress
- Fri, Oct 16, 11:05 PM EDT, 2 outlets: Trump waives new Russia sanctions passed by Congress