Trump Pauses Russia Sanctions After Diesel Deal, Drawing Ukraine's Anger

The dispute centres on whether Washington should increase pressure on Russia's energy revenues or ease restrictions as it pursues an energy agreement. President Donald Trump signed the Graham Bill in September, targeting Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, according to CNBC.

The legislation sought to restrict the financial resources sustaining Russia's war, Global News reported. Its reach extended beyond Russia: countries importing Russian oil and gas faced duties under the law, according to News18.

An agreement announced on October 11 to buy Russian diesel set the backdrop for the latest confrontation, Le Monde reported. The subsequent sanctions waiver widened the disagreement with Kyiv.

On October 16, Trump signed an executive order waiving sweeping sanctions aimed at Russia's energy revenues, according to The Hindu. He cited the national interest in holding off on the penalties, Axios reported.

The measures were close to taking effect, although the coverage differs on the precise deadline. ABCNews.com reported on October 17 that they were due in two days; Fanpage put the start date at October 18.

On October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged supporters to speak out in defence of the new sanctions, according to Associated Press. He described Trump's decision as a reward for Vladimir Putin and warned it would encourage further Russian attacks, the Guardian reported.

Russia welcomed the decision. Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy praised Trump's waiver, according to Times now. For major Russian oil buyers, the move also eased the immediate threat of penalties, Mint reported.

Zelensky nevertheless expressed openness to negotiations led by the United States on October 17, according to The Hill. His criticism of the waiver did not amount to a rejection of talks.

On October 18, secretary of state Marco Rubio described the waiver as a 60-day pause to analyse the sanctions' impact on the global economy, the Guardian reported.

The new sanctions package is on hold, not simply awaiting its original start date. Rubio's explanation gives the pause a stated duration, but the coverage does not establish what penalties will apply when those 60 days end.

The decision comes as Russia targets Ukrainian energy infrastructure, according to Le Monde. Kyiv argues that easing financial pressure encourages further attacks, while Washington has presented the pause as an economic assessment.

The dispute also increases the importance of European support. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged EU leaders to provide nearly $80 billion more next year to finance Kyiv's fight, Japan Times reported.

The immediate issue is whether Washington reinstates the measures after its review or extends the relief. Ukraine is pressing allies to convince Trump to enforce the sanctions, according to The Independent.

A further energy proposal is also emerging. The Trump administration has proposed allowing Russian gas supplies to return to Europe as part of a potential peace deal, Times now reported. That remains a proposal, rather than an agreed settlement.