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Trump waives new Russia sanctions and tariffs before they take effect
The measures would have targeted officials, banks and shipping, as well as goods from some countries buying Russian energy.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving a new Russia sanctions and tariff package shortly before its scheduled implementation. He told Congress the waiver served the US national interest.
Trump had approved the legislation in September to put more pressure on Russia's economy and the Kremlin. Its targets included Russian military and government officials, major banks and shadow-fleet vessels. The law also provided for tariffs covering Russian products and goods from certain countries that continued purchasing Russian oil and gas.
The waiver follows Trump's announcement of an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to supply diesel to global markets, with the aim of lowering fuel prices. Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the sanctions decision, saying the package could have halted economic cooperation between the two countries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who met European leaders in Brussels to discuss the war, opposed the diesel agreement. He said it could lead to gas deals and wider sanctions relief affecting banks, individuals and the chemical industry, while also posing risks concerning frozen assets.