Trump suspends new sanctions against Russia: less leverage for Kiev

Donald Trump signed Friday, October 16, 2026 a decree suspending the application of new sanctions, restrictions and customs provisions against Russia. Euronews, Deutsche Welle and TF1 Info describe the same decision taken shortly before the measures came into force. The president invokes "the national interest of the United States" to use a derogation provided for in a law he himself enacted in September. [S3] [S4] [S10]

A suspension, not a general lifting

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctions Russia and Iran Act was to increase economic pressure on Moscow. Measures presented by the media included Russian officials, banks, the energy sector and the "phantom fleet" used to circumvent restrictions on oil exports. Their goal was to reduce the resources that Russia could finance its war against Ukraine. [S3] [S7] [S10]

The decree provides for a customs increase of 500 per cent on Russian goods and, subject to conditions, 100 per cent on those from the five main importers of Russian crude oil and gas. But these provisions are subject to the exemptions that the President grants at the same time: these rates must therefore not be presented as actual levies. The official text places the enactment of the law on 18 September, unlike the 19 September mentioned by Ukrainska Pravda. [S31] [S12]

A distinction must also be made between the suspension of new obligations and the abolition of all US sanctions against Moscow. The decision concerns provisions of the Graham Act; It does not make it possible to conclude a general freedom to trade with Russia. Deutsche Welle states that the exemption will remain applicable until Donald Trump or senior officials find a new action appropriate. [S31] [S10]

A legal derogation, a contested justification

Congress had left the President a significant margin for decision. According to the Decree, section 115 of the Act authorizes an exemption subject to written certification establishing the American national interest and an explanatory report to Congress. Donald Trump claims to have passed on this certification. Deutsche Welle notes, however, that the White House did not immediately explain publicly how this suspension would serve that interest. [S31] [S10]

The executive is therefore responsible for this arbitration, within the framework of an option granted by parliamentarians. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, co-author of the scheme, blames Donald Trump for turning his back on American representatives and European allies. The disagreement concerns the use of a legal derogation, not a repeal of the law by the President. [S10] [S31]

Moscow and Kiev defend two opposing approaches

Kirill Dmitriev, advisor to the Kremlin on international economic cooperation, welcomes a "important and truly historic moment". He maintained that sanctions would have harmed the American and global economies and that cooperation could promote lasting peace. This is the Russian argument: the sources do not show that a relaxation will actually produce this diplomatic result. [S4]

Volodymyr Zelensky defends the opposite approach. He believes that the release of economic pressure and the granting of financial benefits in Moscow encourages the continuation of attacks. According to the BBC, he has associated his criticism of the US decision with Russian strikes against Ukrainian energy installations and power cuts. These statements shed light on the fear of Kiev, without alone establishing the future military effect of the decree. [S4] [S8]

The cost of energy to protect Ukrainians

The suspension comes after a separate agreement announced by Donald Trump to put Russian diesel back on US and global markets. The aim was to lower fuel prices before the mid-term elections. For households and businesses, this decline remains an expected benefit: available information does not measure savings due to the suspension of the Graham Act. [S3] [S10]

For Ukrainians, the challenge is also the ability to protect themselves. Kiev deplores pre-attack alerts and restrictions on the use of SpaceX satellite services, while its army lacks interceptor missiles. These difficulties contribute to the deterioration of relations with Washington, but are not established as consequences of the sanctions decree. [S4] [S6]

In Brussels, Zelensky requested additional European funding. The statement reproduced by RTBF and Radio-Canada mentions €70 billion, while parts of these same articles speak of dollars. This inconsistency calls for the motto of the quotation attributed to the Ukrainian President to be retained. Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed European support without announcing any amount: the application is not an acquired financing. [S6] [S23]

Arbitration thus opposes two stated objectives: to contain energy costs and to maintain economic pressure to limit war. The decision deprives Kiev of an instrument of pressure expected; its precise impact on Russian revenues, consumer spending and prospects for peace remains to be established. [S3] [S8] [S10]