Trump Holds Back New Russia Sanctions as Republicans Question Leverage
President Donald Trump has delayed most new Russia sanctions and tariffs passed by Congress, arguing they could hinder peace talks with Vladimir Putin. The administration also eased restrictions on Russian diesel exports. Republican allies and a foreign policy expert warned that withholding the penalties could weaken Washington's credibility with Moscow.
The White House has set aside most of the Russia sanctions and tariffs Congress approved last month, while also loosening limits on Russian diesel shipments. President Trump says new penalties could push Moscow away from peace talks. The measures came through the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which passed the Senate 86-11 and was signed last month.
Republican senators Katie Britt, Shelley Moore Capito and Thom Tillis criticized the move. Hal Brands of the American Enterprise Institute called it a major step toward unwinding U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia since 2022, and warned that repeated delays could weaken Washington's threats.
The decision could affect energy markets and consumers through the diesel-export change, while possibly weakening Washington's credibility with Moscow and with allies who expect penalties to be enforced. Ukrainian security and future negotiations may be shaped by whether Putin views the withheld measures as a real threat. Republican criticism may also increase congressional scrutiny of how the administration uses or waives sanctions authority.