US President Donald Trump has suspended the implementation of new sanctions against Russia that were authorised under legislation recently approved by Congress, according to an executive order issued by the White House.
The measures will remain on hold until further notice after Trump invoked what he described as the "national interest of the United States".
Sanctions law approved in September
The executive order concerns legislation signed into law by Trump in mid-September, representing the first major congressional initiative targeting Moscow since his return to office.
The law, named after its principal sponsor, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July, gave the president broad discretion over how and when the measures would be implemented.
Measures target Russian energy sector
The legislation was designed primarily to target Russia's energy industry and, in theory, would for the first time allow action against Russia's so-called shadow fleet, as well as President Vladimir Putin and other senior Russian officials.
It also gives Trump the authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on the five countries importing the largest quantities of Russian oil and natural gas, including China and India.
Ukraine had backed the legislation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had welcomed the law when it was signed, describing it as a powerful tool capable of helping end what he called Russia's campaign of terror and encouraging Moscow to pursue peace.
However, already strained relations between Washington and Kyiv have faced renewed pressure following Trump's announcement of an agreement with Putin that includes the easing of sanctions on Moscow to allow the United States to import significant quantities of Russian diesel.
Concerns in Kyiv
The decision is likely to intensify concerns in Ukraine that the United States could gradually reduce pressure on Russia as part of a broader shift in policy under Trump's administration.
The sanctions remain suspended indefinitely pending further action by the White House.
Source: AFP
