President Donald Trump has waived new congressionally approved sanctions targeting Russia, citing U.S. national interests in a Friday executive order.
The bipartisan legislation, which Trump signed last month, was designed to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine by allowing tariffs on goods from major buyers of Russian oil and gas. The waiver followed Trump's announcement last week of a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to put Russian diesel on the global market amid rising fuel prices.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Saturday that easing the pressure would benefit Russia and could encourage Putin to keep attacking. The decision also drew criticism in Congress, including from Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal.
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