The President of the United States of America (USA), Donald Trump, signed an executive order postponing the implementation of a new, comprehensive package of sanctions against Russia, explaining to Congress that this decision is in the national interest.
Trump personally signed the law only last month, and his move yesterday came just two days before the deadline for its implementation, which was set by law.
The law, named after the late senator from South Carolina, Lindsey Graham, aimed to more quickly curb the flow of funds fueling the war in Ukraine.
The goal of the package was to deprive Russian President Vladimir Putin of the resources Moscow needs to continue the war in Ukraine, as well as to sanction Russian officials, banks, and disrupt the “shadow fleet” of tankers that continue to deliver Russian energy products to their destinations.
Trump was also ordered to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries that import less than 15 percent of Russian gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce such imports.
The White House did not explain how suspending the sanctions is in the national interest, after the decision was published late in the evening on its website.
Last week, Trump reached a sudden agreement in which he stated that Russia would immediately deliver more than 300,000 tons of diesel, to be followed by an additional 500,000 tons in November, and “immediately thereafter” another million tons.
Trump’s diesel deal with Putin was sharply criticized by both Republicans and Democrats, who believe it will help Russia in waging war against Ukraine.
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