Trump waives new Russia sanctions passed by Congress, citing America's national interests
Summary
Donald Trump has waived Russian sanctions, claiming the move was in America's 'national interests', the Evening Standard and The Independent reported on 17 October, as the US-Ukraine relationship frays, and BBC News reported Trump saying parts of a new law that aims to punish Moscow for its war against Ukraine are against US national interests. The president signed the legislation, championed by late senator Lindsey Graham, last month but waived the restrictions as they were due to come into effect, The Guardian reported, and the Financial Times wrote that the US president gives Putin a reprieve on threatened energy measures after cutting a deal with Moscow to release diesel. Zelenskyy urged supporters to defend the new US sanctions, according to The Independent, and warned that the decision will intensify the Kremlin's war in Ukraine, calling it a 'reward' for Vladimir Putin as Moscow launched one of its worst strikes yet on Ukraine's power plants, The Guardian reported. On 18 October The Guardian and The Independent reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the waiver is a '60-day pause' to analyse its economic impact, and a minister said the UK takes a 'different view' to Trump on Russia sanctions, according to the Evening Standard and The Independent. BBC News later reported Trump saying the suspension of the sanctions is to keep peace negotiations going, and i News that Trump claims waiving them will keep Putin 'at the bargaining table'.
Latest: Trump said the suspension of the Russia sanctions is to keep peace negotiations going, BBC News reported, i News reporting Trump's claim that waiving the sanctions will keep Putin 'at the bargaining table' and Zelenskyy saying 'steps are being taken' to encourage Ukraine to capitulate to Russia.
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How it unfolded
Sunday 18 October
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions waiver is a '60-day pause' to analyse its economic impact, The Guardian and The Independent reported, The Independent reporting that Zelenskyy says allies must convince Trump to enforce Russian sanctions, and a minister said the UK takes a 'different view' to Trump on Russia sanctions, according to the Evening Standard and The Independent, after a week in which relations between the US and Ukraine have deteriorated sharply.
- 18:03i NewsWaiving Russia sanctions will keep Putin ‘at the bargaining table’, Trump claims
- 05:40The IndependentUK takes ‘different view’ to Trump on Russia sanctions, says minister
- 05:35Evening StandardUK takes ‘different view’ to Trump on Russia sanctions, says minister
- 02:25The IndependentUkraine-Russia war latest: Zelensky says allies must convince Trump to enforce Russian sanctions
Saturday 17 October
Donald Trump waived Russian sanctions, claiming the move was in America's 'national interests', the Evening Standard and The Independent reported, Euronews and i News saying Trump signed an executive order putting the package on hold, and Zelenskyy warned that the decision will intensify the war in Ukraine, calling it a 'reward' for Vladimir Putin, according to The Guardian.
- 21:07The GuardianUkraine war briefing: Trump’s sanctions waiver is a ‘60-day pause’ to analyse economic impact, says Rubio
- 09:28The GuardianZelenskyy says Trump’s lifting of sanctions on Russia will intensify war in Ukraine
- 06:12The IndependentZelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia after Trump puts them on hold
- 05:14i NewsTrump drops sanctions on Russia – this is what it means for Ukraine
- 03:30The IndependentWhy Trump has paused new Russia sanctions
- 03:20The IndependentTrump waives Russian sanctions as US-Ukraine relationship frays
- 03:13Evening StandardTrump waives Russian sanctions as US-Ukraine relationship frays
- 02:37EuronewsTrump signs executive order waiving new Russia sanctions package
Friday 16 October