Trump's Russia sanctions waiver draws bipartisan backlash and Ukraine alarm
Trump waived sanctions on Russia under a new legislative package and approved a diesel export deal with Moscow. Lawmakers from his own party and Ukraine's leader have criticized the move.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
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What happened
President Donald Trump has waived sanctions on Russia and approved a deal with Moscow to export diesel into global markets, drawing criticism from both sides of the aisle. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin would be a historic mistake, and said Ukraine's access to the Starshield satellite network remains incomplete. Trump defended the waiver on Sunday, saying it keeps Moscow at the negotiating table.
Why it matters
Critics say the move undercuts pressure on Russia and strains ties with U.S. allies. Ukraine has been left reeling, according to NBC News.
Timeline
- Oct 18, 8:00 PM ET: Trump defended his decision to waive Russian sanctions, writing on Truth Social that it keeps Moscow at the negotiating table.
- Oct 19, 8:13 AM ET: Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) said she would rather keep sanctions on Russia in place.
- Oct 19, 2:58 PM ET: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said Zelensky told senators Ukraine still lacks full access to the Starshield network and intelligence sharing.
- Oct 19, 6:45 PM ET: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) said he would speak with Zelensky and vowed to hold any U.S. officials who limited Starshield fully accountable.
Coverage
- Trump’s latest moves back Russia, buck Congress and U.S. allies (NBC News)
- Max Miller comes out against Trump waiving Russia sanctions (The Hill)
- Bessent says there was no sanctions relief for Russia after U.S. diesel deal (The Hill)
- Pence calls on Trump to restore sanctions, scrap Russia diesel deal (The Hill)
- Rogers says he worries about ‘optics’ of U.S.-Russia diesel deal, US cannot not give Putin ‘an inch’ (The Hill)
- Week in Politics: Trump's Russian diesel deal update; why the DOJ is suing California (NPR)
- Trump waives Russia sanctions, drawing bipartisan backlash in Congress
- Trump waives Russia sanctions as Republicans criticize diesel deal
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