President Donald Trump waived new sanctions and import duties targeting Russia and its oil trade, setting aside measures under a September law as he argued that fresh pressure could disrupt peace negotiations.
An Oct. 16 White House order waived specified sanctions, restrictions and duties under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which Trump signed Sept. 18. The law permits duty rates of up to 500% on Russian goods and up to 100% on imports from certain countries tied to Russian oil and gas purchases.
The order specified a 500% increase in duties on Russian goods. It also specified a 100% increase on goods from the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas if they knowingly made new purchases beginning Oct. 18. It specified a 100% duty increase on goods from five unnamed countries facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion. Trump waived those duties and the order’s other specified measures.
The waiver does not affect preexisting sanctions imposed under executive orders addressing a designated national emergency involving Russia.
In an Oct. 18 Truth Social post, Trump said new sanctions might drive Moscow away from negotiations. He also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of resisting an end to the war.
The Kyiv Independent published comments from three Ukrainian soldiers about Trump’s remarks on Oct. 19. Artem Kariakin said Ukrainians would continue fighting even without outside support. Bohdan, identified only by his first name, dismissed Trump’s assessment of Ukraine’s position.
Illia, a serviceman in an air assault brigade, said troops who had served since the war began were exhausted. He favored ending the bloodshed along the current line of contact. “Morale is dropping every day,” he told The Kyiv Independent. The three accounts reflect individual views, not sentiment across Ukraine’s forces.
The law allows the president to waive its measures after sending Congress a national-interest certification and an explanatory report. The White House order says Trump submitted both.
The order calls for regular monitoring and reports but sets no date to reconsider the waivers. They remain in effect until Trump or the secretary of state, consulting the treasury secretary and U.S. trade representative as appropriate, decides further action is warranted.
