President Donald Trump’s Oct. 16 order waived Russia-related measures with different start dates, including a sovereign debt purchase ban already in force, as his administration sought to preserve negotiations over Ukraine.
The ban took effect when the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was enacted Sept. 18. Several other measures covered by the order had Oct. 18 start dates or deadlines, while Section 111 required action when the law was enacted on Sept. 18. The waiver also covers specified energy-sector restrictions and duties tied to Russian oil and its buyers.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump wanted 60 days to assess how imposing the sanctions and tariffs would affect the U.S. and global economies. That review period is not an expiration date for the waiver.
Trump has argued that the measures might drive Russia from negotiations. Ukraine warned that the decision could encourage further attacks, as earlier EconoTimes coverage of the waiver reported.
The order leaves specified earlier U.S. executive-order measures in place. Trump or Rubio can revisit the waiver under the order’s consultation requirements, but it schedules no decision date.
