Trump Waives Graham Act Sanctions on Russia, Drawing Bipartisan Backlash and Zelenskyy Condemnation

On October 16–17, 2026, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving a broad package of new sanctions and tariffs on Russia required under the Graham Act — legislation passed by Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support (86-11 in the Senate) and named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham — just two days before the measures were due to take effect on October 18. Among the provisions waived were tariffs of up to 500% on all Russian goods, tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas, sanctions on foreign banks transacting significantly with Russian state-owned institutions, bans on purchases of Russian sovereign debt and US investment in Russia, and requirements for sanctions targeting Russia's shadow fleet of tankers. The White House justified the waiver by stating it was needed to avoid impeding ongoing US negotiations toward a comprehensive peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia; the order gave no end date. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the decision, saying it only fuelled Russia's desire to keep fighting. Senior Republican senators McConnell, Tillis, Collins, and Cornyn expressed alarm; Tillis called it beyond irresponsible. Democratic Senate leader Schumer said Trump had handed Putin the best birthday gift. This was the second Russia sanctions waiver in as many weeks and was seen as a significant shift in US policy toward Moscow.