Trump temporarily suspends a package of sanctions against Russia

BarcelonaThe President of the United States, Donald Trump, has signed an executive order that temporarily suspends the application of a broad package of sanctions against Russia. He has argued before Congress that it is a measure that responds to the "national interest," as reported this Friday by the White House.

The decision affects a law named after the late Republican senator Lindsey Graham, from South Carolina, which seeks to toughen sanctions against the Russian economy and limit the flow of financial resources that contribute to sustaining the war against Ukraine. Trump had applied this legislation last September 18, but has now temporarily exempted the application of several provisions.

Specifically, the order exempts sanctions against individuals and entities linked to the Russian government; financial and commercial restrictions and tariffs planned for Russian products; and those coming from certain countries that are buyers of hydrocarbons from Russia. The decision does not eliminate the sanctions that the United States had already imposed on Russia with previous executive orders.

The background

The decision comes after Washington temporarily authorized commercial operations with Russian-origin diesel until April 7, 2027, including its import into the United States, despite the sanctions in force against Moscow. Trump announced last October 9 that he had agreed with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on the supply of diesel for international markets, with the goal of lowering energy and fuel prices.

The Republican leader stated that Russia would initially deliver more than 300,000 tons of fuel and would subsequently supply additional quantities, conditioned in part on the state of the refineries. The agreement has drawn criticism from lawmakers of both parties, who question the possible effects on economic pressure against Moscow and its compatibility with U.S. legislation.

Detractors warn that the revenue derived from the sale of Russian fuel could contribute to financing the war against Ukraine, while the White House defends the need to contain energy costs.