President Donald Trump is defending his decision to waive key sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia, after Republicans accused him of undermining support for Ukraine and "capitulating" to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump said enforcing the measures risked derailing negotiations to end the conflict in Ukraine, insisting that progress was being made in diplomatic discussions. He also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of hurting U.S. interests by targeting Russian diesel refineries, adding that “farmers, ranchers, and businesses of all kinds are suffering greatly from this." Meanwhile, Trump wrote, Russia was continuing to send millions of barrels of diesel to world markets at low prices.
Trump even claimed the Zelensky "doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did." Zelensky has not publicly responded to Trump's latest comment but he had previously criticized Trump's decision to lift the sanctions. The president also faced significant backlash from members of his own party, including Sen. Thom Tillis, who called the move “beyond irresponsible,” and Rep.
Don Bacon, who warned that Trump was “prolonging the war, not ending it." Newsweek has reached out to the White House for comment. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was designed to increase economic pressure on Moscow over its war against Ukraine, including through tariffs targeting countries that continue purchasing Russian energy. Trump signed the legislation on September 18.
But in an executive order issued Friday, he waived the application of key sanctions, restrictions and tariffs, citing U.S. national interests. The additional penalties were scheduled to begin Sunday but will remain on hold while the waiver is in force. The administration has indicated that the decision may not be final.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that Trump wants up to 60 days to assess the economic impact of imposing the sanctions and tariffs, after the president signed an order waiving the measures on Friday. Several Republicans have argued that Trump's decision runs counter to the purpose of the sanctions law and risks weakening Washington's ability to pressure Putin. Don Bacon, a Nebraska Republican, warned that, "the President is prolonging the war, not ending it," while Sen.
John Cornyn of Texas, referring to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, whose name is attached to the legislation, wrote: “Lindsey would be appalled.” Senator Ted Cruz called the waiver a mistake, adding that the administration should have considered other ways to lower fuel prices. Tillis agreed, writing on X, “It's unconscionable that this administration is capitulating to a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine and butchers innocent civilians every single day." Tillis also questioned why the administration would not enforce legislation that passed the Senate 86-11, and argued Trump should address the war with Iran to lower energy prices rather than “doing a solid for Vladimir Putin.” Rep. French Hill of Arkansas said the United States should be increasing economic pressure on Russia rather than easing it.
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