Trump suspends new package of US sanctions against Russia

US President Donald Trump signed an order on Friday suspending the application of a new, sweeping package of sanctions against the Russian economy. He told Congress that this serves the national interests of the United States, AP reports.

The law, which allows the president to impose far-reaching sanctions meant to increase pressure on Russia and help end the war in Ukraine, was passed by the House of Representatives last month, and Trump then signed it.

What the package provides for

The sanctions package is the legacy of Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who died in July shortly after his last visit to Ukraine. The law allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on the five largest buyers of Russian oil or natural gas, including China and India. The package also includes sanctions against senior Russian officials, financial institutions and “shadow fleet” tankers that Moscow uses to evade Western sanctions.

A step after a surprise announcement

Trump’s decision followed his surprise announcement last week that Russia would immediately supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel to the American and global markets, with deliveries increasing in the coming months. He reached the agreement in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The decision drew criticism from Ukraine, its Western allies and a number of American politicians, both Democrats and Republicans.

Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz