Trump waives Russia sanctions, drawing bipartisan backlash in Congress
President Trump signed an order easing penalties on Russia and reached a diesel deal with Moscow. Lawmakers from both parties and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have voiced alarm over the moves.
By Standard Topic. AI-generated from the reporting listed under Coverage. Published . Updated .
What happened
President Trump signed an executive order waiving Russia penalties and struck a deal with the Kremlin to let diesel flow into global markets. Critics say these moves favor Moscow during Ukraine's war, and Zelensky reportedly told senators that Ukraine still lacks full access to the Starshield satellite network. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) has vowed to hold any U.S. officials who limited that access fully accountable.
Why it matters
Lawmakers warn the moves weaken Ukraine and could complicate the lame-duck congressional agenda.
Timeline
- Oct 19, 2:58 PM ET: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said Zelensky told senators Ukraine does not have full access to Starshield or intelligence sharing.
- Oct 19, 3:22 PM ET: Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) said he opposes Trump's waiver on Russian sanctions.
- Oct 19, 4:22 PM ET: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said President Ronald Reagan and the late Sen. Lindsey Graham would be ashamed of the waiver.
- Oct 19, 6:45 PM ET: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) vowed to hold any U.S. officials who limited Starshield access fully accountable.
Coverage
- Tillis: ‘Putin is playing President Trump like a fiddle’ (The Hill)
- O’Reilly: Trump ‘looks at Putin in a different way’ (The Hill)
- Congresswoman Madeleine Dean Calls Trump ‘Putin’s Puppet’ Over Ukraine Weapons Delays (Kyiv Post)
- Neera Tanden: ‘What Trump is doing is helping Russia, the aggressor’ (CNN)
- How Trump Just Became Our Modern Benedict Arnold: Political Guru (thedailybeast.com)
- Trump’s Push for Deals With Russia Powers His Frustration With Ukraine (The New York Times)
- Trump’s Russia moves could complicate lame-duck agenda (Roll Call)
- Trump’s Overtures to Putin Put Republican Candidates in Hot Seat (WSJ)
- Trump's Russia sanctions waiver draws bipartisan backlash and Ukraine alarm
- Trump waives Russia sanctions as Republicans criticize diesel deal
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