Ukraine: Trump removes new sanctions against Russia without lifting all restrictions

Donald Trump decided, Friday, October 16, 2026, not to apply several sanctions, restrictions and customs duties under the Graham Act, which he promulgated on September 18. Invoking "the national interest of the United States", the US president thus avoids further economic pressure on Moscow. RTS, Radio-Canada and Le Temps report the same decision, confirmed by presidential decree and Reuters. [S3] [S6] [S7] [S15] [S16]

An exemption, not a general abolition of sanctions

The law targeted the Russian energy sector, the so-called "phantom" fleet, Vladimir Putin and other senior officials, according to the French media. Volodymyr Zelensky had supported it as a way to push Russia to negotiate. However, this expected effectiveness was a Ukrainian political objective, not a demonstrated result. [S3] [S7]

The decree specifies the customs provisions concerned: a 500 % increase on Russian goods and, subject to conditions, 100 % on those of the five main importers of Russian crude oil and gas. He also mentioned the five main countries facilitating the circumvention of oil sanctions. But these provisions are subject to the exemptions contained in the same text: these rates do not therefore constitute newly applied taxes. [S15]

Another essential distinction is that the decree expressly preserves the previous sanctions under the decrees on harmful foreign activities of the Russian government which it designates. For businesses and their customers, it does not create a general freedom to trade with Russia without restriction. The exemptions will remain in effect until the President or the Secretary of State, with the planned consultations, deems a new action appropriate. [S15]

A presidential choice, a little detailed justification

Congress itself provided for a derogation, subject to a written certification establishing the American national interest and an explanatory report. Donald Trump claims to have transmitted these documents. However, the public decree does not detail the economic or strategic benefits expected: the national interest is the justification put forward by the executive, not an established balance sheet. [S15]

The reactions illustrate opposing interests. According to Reuters, Democratic Representative Don Beyer accuses Donald Trump of betraying Ukrainian partners and contradicting Congress' intention. On the other hand, Kirill Dmitriev, Vladimir Putin's economic emissary, salutes a "historical" moment. China, for its part, disputes the extraterritorial sanctions it considers to be groundless in international law, while India had warned of the possible consequences of new tariffs on its relations with Washington. [S16]

For households, the economic challenge concerns fuels. Reuters reports the analysis that the new measures could have increased the increase in oil as the US mid-term elections approached. However, the sources consulted do not quantify the costs avoided by the exemption or a possible decrease in invoices. It would therefore be premature to present this decision as a demonstrated gain in purchasing power. [S16]

Kiev loses leverage in a wider crisis

This exemption comes after the announcement in early October of an agreement between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin providing for a reduction of sanctions to allow US imports of Russian diesel. Reuters reports that some senators, including some Republicans, have criticized this agreement, believing that it would help finance the Russian war effort. However, the diesel agreement and the Graham Act Order remain two separate decisions. [S3] [S7] [S16]

Ukraine's concerns also concern protection against bombing. Kiev states that it has not been notified of some imminent attacks and reports restrictions on the use of SpaceX satellite services. The articles do not permit the precise attribution of responsibility for each restriction or the establishment of a causal link with the exemption from sanctions. The concrete issue is the ability to anticipate strikes, while Ukraine depends on Western intelligence and lacks interceptor missiles. [S3] [S6] [S7]

European support still to be financed

In Brussels, Volodymyr Zelensky requested at least 70 billion euros for the following year, according to his statement reproduced by Radio-Canada and Le Temps. Their introductions evoke dollars, but the detailed quotation mentions euros, also retained by LCI. Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed European support while considering it premature to announce an amount. The Ukrainian demand is therefore not an acquired financing: the commitments remain to be specified, for Ukrainians who are waiting for protection as well as for taxpayers to finance it. [S6] [S7] [S14]