President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday suspending sweeping new sanctions against Russia. The move puts on hold a sanctions package passed by Congress, specifically waiving portions of the Graham Act. Trump had signed the Graham Bill, which targeted Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, into law in September.
In the executive order, the president argued that the suspension is in the national interests of the United States. The order was signed two days before the sanctions deadline and comes as Trump has been warming toward Russia.
The reversal follows a deal struck between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease sanctions in exchange for Moscow releasing large amounts of diesel into global markets. This diesel deal was reached one week before the signing of the executive order.
The decision to put the sanctions on hold also comes amid increasing criticism from Trump toward Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.