U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, October 16, 2026, issued an executive order to put on hold a sweeping new package of sanctions against Russia, just two days before they were scheduled to take effect on October 18, 2026. These sanctions were mandated by the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," which President Trump signed into law last month.

This decision signals a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy, appearing to prioritize domestic economic concerns over direct application of congressionally mandated sanctions intended to curb Russia's aggression in Ukraine. The move has drawn bipartisan criticism from lawmakers and experts.

What the Records Show

President Trump's executive order on October 16, 2026, explicitly put on hold provisions of the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026," a law he signed in mid-September 2026. The order states that the waiver is in the “national interests of the United States,” and President Trump submitted a certification to Congress explaining this basis. The Act, named for the late Senator Lindsey O. Graham, was overwhelmingly focused on increasing economic pressure on Russia in response to its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. It passed Congress with large bipartisan majorities.

The legislation aimed to impose tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas, and on countries facilitating Russian oil sanctions evasion. It also mandated sanctions on Russian officials, the Russian energy sector, and its "shadow fleet" of tankers used to bypass existing sanctions. While the Act contained a waiver authority, requiring a certification and report to Congress, President Trump invoked this authority to waive numerous provisions, including increased tariffs and sanctions on foreign persons and entities. The waiver has no fixed expiration date, remaining in effect until the President or Secretary of State determines further action is appropriate.

The Timeline

Mid-September 2026: President Trump signed the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" into law.

October 9, 2026: President Trump announced a controversial "diesel deal" following discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that Russia would "immediately" supply over 300,000 tons of diesel to U.S. and global markets, followed by larger quantities later.

October 16, 2026: President Trump issued an executive order waiving key provisions of the new sanctions act.

October 18, 2026: The sanctions were originally scheduled to take effect.

What Changed and for Whom

President Trump's executive order sidelines congressional intent to escalate pressure on Russia. The waiver closely follows the "diesel deal," which experts argue could undercut Western economic pressure on Russia and strain international alliances. A bipartisan group of a dozen senators, including Republicans like Mitch McConnell and Susan Collins, urged Trump to rescind the diesel agreement and implement the sanctions. They argued that allowing Russian diesel into global markets would generate revenue for Moscow to finance its war in Ukraine and deepen security cooperation with countries like China, Iran, and North Korea. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also criticized the deal. Senator Darline Graham, appointed to serve out her late brother's term, had campaigned on the sanctions bill. These actions occur less than a month before the U.S. midterm elections on November 3, where rising energy prices are a significant concern.

What the Subject Has Said Publicly

President Trump justified the waiver as being "in the national interests of the United States". Regarding the diesel deal, he stated it was necessary to bring down soaring global energy prices, particularly diesel, to benefit American consumers. He posted on social media that "Diesel Prices for Americans and, indeed, the World, will be COMING DOWN, IN RECORD NUMBERS, AND FAST!".

What We Could Not Confirm

We could not confirm the exact date in September when President Trump signed the "Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026" into law. We also could not confirm the specific contents of the certification submitted to Congress by President Trump explaining the waiver's basis.