Trump suspends new sanctions against Russia, against the backdrop of tensions with Zelensky

Donald Trump signed, Friday, October 16, 2026, a decree suspending the application of numerous sanctions and customs provisions against Russia provided for by a law he himself promulgated in September. The BBC, Deutsche Welle and Al Jazeera report on the same decision, taken before 18 October. The president invokes the American "national interest", in a context of growing disagreement with Volodymyr Zelensky on Russian diesel purchases. [S1] [S3] [S4]

A suspension, not a general lifting

The decree uses a derogation option set out in the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctions Russia and Iran Act. It establishes customs increases while immediately suspending their application: 500 per cent on Russian goods, 100 per cent on those from the five main importers of Russian crude oil and natural gas meeting the conditions, and 100 per cent on those from the five main countries facilitating circumvention of oil sanctions. Legal exceptions are provided. [S8]

The scope of the text therefore goes beyond the only energy products highlighted in certain articles: surcharges can target goods from the countries concerned, not just their oil. On the other hand, the decree expressly preserves the sanctions provided for in the previous decrees it designates, in particular against persons already punished in this context. Talking about the disappearance of all US sanctions against Moscow would be inaccurate. [S5] [S6] [S8]

The exemptions also cover several categories of sanctions and restrictions against individuals and entities. No expiry date shall be fixed: they shall remain applicable until a new decision is taken by the President or the Secretary of State after the consultations scheduled. The US Trade Representative must continue to monitor Russian energy purchases and circumvention activities. [S8]

Diesel at the heart of the disagreement with Kyiv

This decision comes a week after the announcement of an agreement allowing the United States to buy Russian diesel. Donald Trump presents this supply as a way to reduce energy prices before the mid-term elections on November 3. Deutsche Welle puts this initiative in the context of rising energy costs linked to the US-Israel war against Iran. [S1] [S3] [S4]

Volodymyr Zelensky defends an opposite reading: according to the BBC, he considers this agreement an investment in a war that should be stopped. NDTV reports that Donald Trump blames him for not reaching an agreement with Moscow and suggested that Ukraine change its leader. These statements document a political confrontation; they do not alone demonstrate the economic or military effects of diesel purchased from Russia. [S1] [S6]

The Journal provides a European complement: Zelensky asked the leaders of the European Union for an additional €70 billion for the following year. The President of the European Council, António Costa, defended continued support for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia. However, this application does not constitute aid already granted. [S2]

Who decides, and who answers?

Congress had passed the law with support from both parties, but had also incorporated a presidential derogation. According to the decree, its use requires a written certification of compliance with the national interest and a supporting report to Congress. Trump claims to have handed over these documents. The decree does not set out the detailed arguments; Deutsche Welle notes the absence of an immediate public explanation from the White House. [S3] [S4] [S8]

The criticisms therefore concern the use of this latitude as well as Russian policy. Democratic Representative Don Beyer calls on Congress to amend the law to prevent what he describes as a surrender to Vladimir Putin. Al Jazeera also reports Republican and Democratic criticism of the diesel deal: his opponents believe that he will help the Russian war effort without reducing prices. This is their assessment, not an economic balance sheet. [S4]

A commercial respite, still uncertain human effects

NDTV highlights the relief for India and China, exposed to new surtaxes due to their Russian energy purchases. For the companies concerned, the suspension removes an immediate additional customs constraint but does not guarantee its lasting disappearance. Nor does it remove any other applicable duties. [S6] [S8]

The arbitration opposed two stated objectives: to reduce energy costs and to reduce resources financing the Russian war. Customs sanctions could affect trade that was not directly related to the decisions to buy energy, while their advocates presented them as a means of protecting Ukraine by increasing pressure on Moscow. The sources consulted do not yet make it possible to measure the savings for households, the effects on employment or the consequences on Russian incomes. The US executive is responsible for this suspension; its announced benefit for consumers remains to be demonstrated. [S1] [S3] [S4] [S8]