Trump Throws Lifeline To Russian Energy Buyers Days Before Lindsey Graham-Backed Sanctions Take Effect

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday intending to waive multiple sanctions on Russian energy importers amid a push to lower diesel prices.

The waiver nullifies the recently signed Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act’s 100% tariff on the five largest importers of Russian fossil fuels before the law — named after the late Republican South Carolina senator and Trump ally who died suddenly in July — takes effect Sunday. The move, which provides notice to Congress, follows Trump announcing Oct. 9 an agreement with Russia to import millions of diesel barrels into U.S. and global markets amid a spike in global fuel prices.

The order also waived the Graham Act’s 500% tariffs on Russian goods until senior Trump administration officials “determine that further action is appropriate” as they monitor countries that import Russian energy or evade U.S. sanctions.

Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, praised the waiver in an X post Saturday.

“The Trump administration’s suspension of the Graham Act is an important and truly historic moment,” Dmitriev wrote. “Economic cooperation between Russia and the United States serves the interests of both nations, contributes to global economic stability, and lays the foundation for building trust and achieving lasting peace.”