President Donald Trump signed an executive order overnight on October 16–17 suspending sanctions and tariffs against Russia that Congress had mandated under the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, signed into law on September 18 [7][26]. The order exempts Russia from the act's provisions — including tariffs of up to 500 percent on US imports of Russian energy and 100 percent secondary tariffs on the top five buyers of Russian crude — for a 60-day period [7][20]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia has attacked Ukrainian energy and oil-and-gas facilities 76 times since Trump announced an "energy truce" on October 11 [10][17][21].

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the president intends to use the 60-day window to analyze the impact of both sanctions and tariffs on the global and US economies [1][6][8]. Rubio stated that overlapping conflicts — including the US conflict with Iran and Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia — are affecting energy prices [6][12]. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said enforcing the sanctions now would impede ongoing US efforts to reach a permanent peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia [2][15]. Trump called the freeze an "excellent decision" positive for the country and the world [22], while telling reporters he had not yet announced a final decision on the waiver [9][13]. The White House stated it is working with Ukraine and European partners on a comprehensive peace proposal that includes economic incentives for both Russia and Ukraine [28].

Zelenskyy called the suspension an "American sanctions blackout" that eases pressure on the aggressor and offers financial rewards to Vladimir Putin [5][16][19]. He said Putin "feels joy" at such support and that the diesel deal preceding the waiver was "only the first step" in further easing [23][29]. Zelenskyy stated that Russia is trying to cause a blackout in Ukraine before winter and that Moscow makes no concessions in response to sanctions relief [10][21]. Overnight strikes hit substations in Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi and Odesa regions, killing at least two and wounding 12 including two children [17][21]. Russia's Defence Ministry stated its forces struck infrastructure including a Zhytomyr substation and steelworks in Kryvyi Rih and Zaporizhzhia that supply Ukraine's military-industrial complex [5][19].

US lawmakers from both parties criticized the waiver. Republican Senator Thom Tillis called it "beyond irresponsible" and said Trump could lower energy prices by resolving the Iran conflict rather than "doing a solid for Vladimir Putin" [4][6][8]. Republican Senator Ted Cruz called the move "a mistake" [4][6], and Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren said Trump is defying Congress's mandate to increase pressure on the Kremlin [7]. Democratic Representative Gregory Meeks introduced a bill to block the diesel deal by revoking the Treasury license, with 16 Democrats and one Republican co-sponsoring [30]. Republican Senator Darline Graham said she would keep pressure on Russia because she does not trust Putin [13].

Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev called the suspension "an important and truly historic moment" and said the sanctions would have caused serious damage to the US economy and global markets [4][5][18]. Dmitriev said economic cooperation between Russia and the United States benefits both nations and stated that «крига скресла» (the ice has broken) [7][28]. Putin stated Russia will continue large-scale strikes on Ukraine's military, industrial and logistics targets [7].

EU High Representative Kaja Kallas said suspending sanctions on Russian diesel gives Moscow more revenue to wage war and that Europe will not relax pressure [36]. The European Commission called for a ceasefire protecting energy infrastructure and said Europe does not want to fuel Russia's war [36]. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Trump's cancellation of sanctions on Russian diesel as undermining the West's economic pressure campaign [28]. Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski responded to Dmitriev's praise with sarcasm, conceding that the moment is "historic" [35]. A German government spokesperson said Berlin takes note of the US decision and reaffirms support for Ukraine [36].

Analysts and academics read the decision through US domestic politics. Brent crude nearing $110 and diesel prices rising from $3.50 to $6.30 a gallon since January created pressure ahead of the November midterms [11][20]. Free University of Brussels researcher Serge Jaumain argued Zelenskyy is a collateral victim of US midterm politics, with Trump using him as a scapegoat for energy prices [16]. University of Cologne professor Klemens Fischer called the suspension «der dunkelste Moment für die Ukrainer in diesem Krieg bisher» (the darkest moment for Ukrainians in this war so far) and said Trump is acting with an eye on the midterms [27]. Analysts reported that the agreed Russian diesel volumes are too small to move global fuel markets [43][44]. Former IEA Oil Division head Neil Atkinson said the source of the volumes is "a mystery" [44].

The waiver is part of a broader set of US actions affecting Ukraine. Trump announced an energy-infrastructure ceasefire on October 11, saying both sides had agreed to it, though Zelenskyy said Kyiv had not been consulted [10][17][25]. Zelenskyy said Starlink terminals in Ukraine disconnect at speeds above roughly 161 kph, disrupting interceptor drones, and called the restrictions a «спланированной операцией» (planned operation) [3][14][29]. Elon Musk stated that speed or usage restrictions are set by the US military and ultimately the president [18]. Rubio denied the White House ordered Starlink restrictions [29]. The administration has threatened to cut intelligence sharing and weapons support to Ukraine [10][23].

UN human rights monitors documented a pattern of attacks on electricity, heating and civilian sites as winter approaches. The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that the first two weeks of October were among the deadliest periods for civilians in years [32]. Nonviolent Peaceforce cited more than 15,000 civilians killed or injured in Ukraine in the first eight months of 2026 and called for increased political and economic pressure on Russia [33]. Local officials reported casualties and mass power cuts across nine regions, with more than a million people without power [19].

For major importers of Russian energy, the waiver changes little in practice. Indian refiners had already cut Russian crude purchases by a third from July peaks and are expected to continue lifting Russian crude [38][39]. Turkey, which receives about 60 percent of its crude imports from Russia, cannot realistically end its dependence on Russian crude and gas [40]. Brazilian importers faced diverted cargoes and warned of higher pump prices after the US easing redirected diesel flows [45].

The Treasury Department has issued a general license exempting Russian diesel supplies from US sanctions until April 7, 2027 [30]. The administration is also considering restoring Russian gas supplies to Europe as part of a peace package, with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner raising the idea with Ukrainian and European officials [11][28]. Zelenskyy hinted that the next deal may concern gas [28]. European officials are preparing a new sanctions package with approximately 1,600 listings [36].