Washington's turn towards Moscow / What is the story of the cancellation of sanctions?

In a controversial turn, Donald Trump stopped the implementation of the new package of sanctions against Russia and the country's energy tariffs; A decision that has aroused the criticism of the Ukrainian authorities and the concern of Washington's European allies in the midst of the increase in fuel prices and the war in Ukraine.

Ambassador Arjan: In a controversial turn, Donald Trump stopped the implementation of the new package of sanctions against Russia and the country's energy tariffs; A decision that has aroused the criticism of the Ukrainian authorities and the concern of Washington's European allies in the midst of the increase in fuel prices and the war in Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump on Friday evening suspended a comprehensive package of new sanctions against the Russian economy, telling Congress that suspending the law, which has been passed by both US houses, is in the "national interest".

The Guardian newspaper reported: The President of the United States announced in an executive order that he will cancel many sanctions, restrictions and tariffs against Russia; The move comes as he has publicly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, including saying that Ukraine needs a new leader who can negotiate with Russia.

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Trump signed the law, which was passed with bipartisan support in Congress, last month. The law sought to quickly stem the flow of funds fueling Russia's war on Ukraine.

The legislation — whose main sponsor in Congress was Lindsey Graham, a former Republican senator from North Carolina — would have imposed sanctions on Russian officials, banks and the so-called "shadow fleet" of Russian tankers, and was set to take effect in two days.

The law also directs Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest importers of Russian oil or natural gas. Of course, countries that import less than 15% of Russian natural gas exports and have taken significant measures to reduce these imports are excluded.

The announcement of the signing of the executive order to lift the embargo was made on Friday, a week after Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to buy the country's diesel fuel, claiming that the move would lower the price of diesel fuel. The price of fuel has increased to an unprecedented level due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the middle of his illegal war against Iran.

This action was criticized and expressed concern by the Ukrainian authorities and the European Union, who considered it to be the financing of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine.

The US president's decision has also been controversial at home, with more than twenty US senators, including six Republicans, calling on Trump to cancel his diesel contract.

A letter from the bipartisan group of lawmakers, sent on Tuesday, urged Trump to implement the sanctions powers contained in the Lindsey O'Graham Russia-Iran Sanctions Act of 2026, passed last month.

Under the law he signed, Trump had until October 18 to impose or lift sanctions and tariffs on Russian energy. The administration had not told lawmakers whether it would impose sanctions or issue waivers.