Trump puts new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold amid deepening row with Ukraine

Key Points:

• President Donald Trump has paused the implementation of a new bipartisan sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, citing national interest in an executive order issued on Friday.
• The sanctions, known as the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," were set to take effect within days and aimed to restrict Russian officials, banks, and energy exports, including imposing tariffs on top importers of Russian oil and gas.
• Trump's move follows his controversial announcement last week that the US would purchase large quantities of diesel fuel from Russia to lower global energy prices, a decision that has drawn bipartisan criticism from US senators and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• The decision has created tension with Ukraine, as Trump has publicly criticized Zelenskyy and announced an agreement between Ukraine and Russia not to target each other's energy infrastructure, which has raised concerns about US support amid Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine.
• The sanctions legislation remains a key issue in US politics, with Senator Darline Graham, Lindsey Graham's sister, campaigning on its enforcement, while Trump retains discretion over how and whether to apply the sanctions ahead of the midterm elections.