Trump waives Russia energy penalties as Zelensky seeks EU financing

Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving new U.S. sanctions and tariffs under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, suspending penalties aimed at Russian energy trade and buyers of Russian oil and gas. The order cited the national interests of the United States.

The penalties were due to take effect on Sunday, October 18, according to WSYR; the waiver prevents that scheduled start. The law set out proposed tariffs of 500% on Russian imports and 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, according to RT and WSYR.

The Canberra Times described a provision allowing tariffs of up to 100% on goods from the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, as well as countries knowingly buying Russian oil or gas after enactment or among the top five countries helping Russia evade sanctions.

Those accounts describe the law's reach in different terms: the first two give the proposed tariff levels, while The Canberra Times explains the conditions for applying one provision. CNA reported that Trump reached an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease sanctions in exchange for Russia releasing diesel into global markets.

WSYR also linked the waiver to an agreement to release Russian diesel, and said diesel prices were rising. RT quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying Russian diesel had begun reaching global markets and would have a positive effect on oil-market stability.

The diesel arrangement and its expected market effect are presented as reported claims; the supplied accounts do not independently establish the quantity released or the effect on prices. The order came as Volodymyr Zelensky sought European Union financing for Ukraine. CNA reported that he urged EU leaders to provide nearly $80 billion for next year.

It also quoted EU chief Ursula von der Leyen saying the 70-billion-euro request had to be covered and urging partner countries to help. The coverage reports the request and von der Leyen's support, not a final funding decision. The legislation's stated purpose and its political effect are described from different angles.

The Canberra Times said the law was intended to increase pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2022. RT reported that U.S. lawmakers who favored tougher measures argued existing restrictions had allowed Moscow to evade economic pressure. The Canberra Times also noted that Trump had publicly criticized Zelensky and suggested Kyiv needed a new leader.

These reports provide context for the decision, but do not establish that Trump's public criticism caused the waiver. The order included a process for notifying Congress. WSYR reported that the legislation required an explanatory report and that Trump said it had been sent, but the outlet said its reasoning was not publicly disclosed.

The Canberra Times reported that the waiver would remain in effect until Trump or senior officials determined that further action was appropriate. Washington Examiner quoted Senator Elizabeth Warren criticizing Trump's use of his sanctions authority, saying he had failed to use it to disrupt support for Russia's war effort and help secure peace for Ukraine.

RT reported that Representative Gregory Meeks introduced a bill seeking to block the diesel agreement. The immediate questions concern the congressional and European tracks: whether Congress receives and examines the waiver report, whether the bill introduced by Meeks advances, and whether EU governments provide the financing Zelensky requested.

The reported diesel arrangement also bears on the administration's stated economic context for the waiver, while the sources offer no verified measure of how much fuel reached markets or what effect it had.