What happened
President Trump signed an executive order waiving sanctions on Russian energy importers, citing national interests and a push to lower diesel prices. The move comes days before the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia Act was set to take effect, which would have imposed a 100% tariff on the five largest importers of Russian fossil fuels.
The waiver also suspends 500% tariffs on Russian goods until senior Trump administration officials determine that further action is appropriate. The White House stated that enforcing the sanctions provisions now would impede ongoing US efforts to negotiate a durable and comprehensive peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized the waiver, stating that it disregards the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose effective pressure on Russia to bring the war to an end. Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, praised the waiver, saying it serves the interests of both nations and contributes to global economic stability.
The national average price of a barrel of diesel has increased significantly, with the current price at $6.33, up from the 2025 average of $3.64. The waiver has sparked controversy, with some arguing that it will encourage Russia to continue its attacks on Ukraine, while others see it as a necessary step to lower diesel prices and promote economic cooperation between the US and Russia.
