Trump lifts Russia sanctions days after diesel deal pact

Donald Trump has lifted sanctions on Russia just seven days after sealing a pact with Vladimir Putin to supply the United States with more than 300,000 tons of diesel fuel before the midterm elections. The President sent a letter to Congress claiming this reversal serves the national interest. It undoes legislation he signed last month and named for late Senator Lindsey Graham. That Executive Order arrived late Friday night, only two days before the law's own implementation deadline arrived. Trump also agreed to buy Russian diesel hoping to lower global energy costs, even though that move could hurt Ukraine while it fights its war against Russia.

Trump's approval ratings have plummeted to near-historic lows as gas prices climb and the unpopular war in Iran drags on. Republicans are under intense pressure to keep control of both chambers of Congress. The Graham Act aimed to cut off financial resources fueling the conflict in Ukraine much faster than before. That package was designed to starve President Vladimir Putin of the money Moscow needs for its war, which started more than four years ago after invading a neighbor. Democrats like Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut helped draft the bill to sanction Russian officials, banks, and a shadow fleet of tankers moving Russian energy.

The new order tells Trump he can slap up to 100 percent tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas. There is an exception for nations that buy less than 15 percent of Russia's gas exports and have already taken big steps to cut those imports back. Blumenthal issued a statement saying Trump is turning his back on most Americans, their representatives in Congress, and European allies. He added these waivers have nothing to do with national security and everything to do with sucking up to Vladimir Putin.

Democratic Congressman Don Beyer of Virginia noted on social media shortly after the announcement that he and others had warned Trump might make such a move. The veteran lawmaker spoke out against the bill during debates and now calls on Congress to fix the flawed law so it stops Trump from capitulating to Putin while ensuring real support for Ukraine. Lindsey Graham, a close friend of the president, just returned from Ukraine when he died unexpectedly in July. His colleagues offered bipartisan support after his death, and Trump attached his signature to the legislation before changing his mind on Friday. Graham had pushed for stricter sanctions against Russia to pressure it into ending the war.

The law bears Senator Lindsey Graham's name because he was a fierce advocate for supporting Ukraine. His sister Darline faces an reelection battle in just over two weeks. The sanctions issue has become a campaign centerpiece as she runs to keep his seat permanently. Darline Graham said after Trump signed the bill, "I wish Lindsey were here to celebrate this historic day." In a debate earlier this week with Democratic nominee Annie Andrews, she noted that while she was proud to help pass the measure, it is up to the President how he uses it. She stated during a Sunday debate in Columbia that the purpose of the law is to bring down gas prices and ultimately end the war.

And when the war ends, gas prices will fall."

Those words came from Donald Trump after he announced a new deal with Vladimir Putin. The White House posted the news late Friday night. Officials said the full report explaining this move had already been sent to Congress.

Yet the timing feels strange given recent tensions. President Trump has recently criticized Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky hard. He blames Zelensky for not striking a quick agreement with Moscow to stop the fighting.

Lindsey Graham, who died suddenly last week, would have faced a tough choice here. His sister, Darline, now holds his Senate seat. She must win reelection in just over two weeks. Those new sanctions on Russia have become a major part of her campaign message as she fights to keep the family legacy alive.

The Trump team stayed quiet for days after Congress passed the bill with large majorities in both chambers. Lawmakers had been urged by Zelensky before that vote happened.

Under terms agreed last week, Trump said Russia must send more than 300,000 tons of diesel right away. Another 500,000 tons would follow in November. One million tons are promised immediately after that period ends.

This plan has drawn sharp criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Critics argue the move helps Russia keep its war machine running without actually lowering global fuel costs.

Zelensky called this arrangement a "gift to Putin." Kyiv officials were caught off guard when the announcement dropped, one source told Axios.

"Gifts to Putin will not bring peace or any benefit to the civilized world," Zelensky stated in his rebuttal. He added that Russia would "repay" such kindness with more terror and treachery. Allowing Moscow to sell oil products, he argued, funds a war that must end soon.

Numbers show how limited this supply boost really is. The first 300,000 tons equals roughly 2.2 million barrels. That amount covers less than two hours of total global diesel demand, according to International Energy Agency data.

Even the November shipment of 500,000 tons works out to about 125,000 barrels per day. This is only an eighth of what Russia was exporting daily before Ukraine attacked its refineries.

Trump insists his plan will lower prices worldwide. He claims this works because America controls the Strait of Hormuz completely. The President shifted blame for rising diesel costs onto Ukraine instead of admitting his own conflict with Iran might be a factor. Speaking at his golf resort in Ireland on September 13, he told reporters: "This isn't done by the Middle East, this is done by what's happening with Russia and Ukraine."

Communities across America feel the strain of high energy costs every month. A deal that funnels more resources to a warring nation risks making lives harder for families who cannot afford heating fuel anymore.