Foto: BB.LV / Дональд Трамп
U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a suspension of the introduction of a new package of sanctions against Russia, although the corresponding law was passed by Congress and signed by him just a month ago. As reported by LETA citing the DPA agency, the decree on the postponement was published on Friday, October 16. The new restrictions will not be applied until further notice. Trump explained his decision by the necessity to act "in the national interests of the United States." No other reasons for the suspension of sanctions were provided in the announcement. The law was signed on September 18 and provided for the automatic introduction of restrictions within 30 days unless the president made a different decision. Thus, Trump took advantage of the legal provision to halt the introduction of sanctions shortly before the deadline set by Congress. ## What Sanctions Against Russia Were Prepared The new package was supposed to significantly expand American sanctions pressure on Moscow in connection with the ongoing war against Ukraine. The restrictions affected several areas: - the Russian energy and defense sectors. - Vladimir Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials. - the Russian "shadow fleet" — tankers used to transport oil bypassing Western restrictions. - foreign companies and organizations providing support to the Russian military. In addition, the law provided for the expansion of sanctions against Iran. One of the most notable measures was the possibility of imposing additional American customs duties of up to 100% on the largest buyers of Russian oil and gas. This could primarily affect China and India, which continue to purchase significant volumes of Russian energy resources. The goal of these measures was to reduce Moscow's oil and gas revenues, which are also used to finance the war against Ukraine. ## Why Trump's Decision Matters The restrictions provided for by the law were supposed to affect not only Russian enterprises and officials but also the economic relations of the U.S. with third countries. Duties on goods from countries purchasing Russian energy resources could have become an additional tool for pressure on Moscow's trading partners. However, the implementation of these measures is now postponed indefinitely. At the same time, Trump's decision does not mean the cancellation of all existing American sanctions against Russia. It specifically concerns the new restrictions provided for by the September law. The announcement also does not indicate when the U.S. president may reconsider his decision and under what conditions the sanctions will still be imposed. ## The Law Was Promoted by Senator Lindsey Graham The initiator of the large-scale sanctions package was Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who had been advocating for its adoption since April 2025. After the senator's death in July 2026, the law was named after him. In September, the document was approved by Congress and signed by Trump, however, the mechanism provided for by it allowed the president to postpone the introduction of sanctions. Now the further fate of the new restrictions depends on the decisions of the American administration.
