Lead report from The New York Times
What happened
President Donald Trump has suspended a sweeping new sanctions and tariff package targeting Russia that was passed by Congress and signed into law last month. Trump argued in an executive order that pausing the restrictions is in the national interests of the United States. The decision has drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several Republican lawmakers.
Outlets across the spectrum agree that President Trump decided to waive or pause the newly enacted Russia sanctions package, citing the national interest.
Left-leaning outlets like HuffPost highlight congressional outrage and quote critics who argue the move helps Russia. Center outlets such as The Hill and Bloomberg emphasize reactions from Ukrainian President Zelensky and key GOP allies who call the decision a mistake. Right-leaning outlets like the Washington Examiner focus on rare praise from figures such as Rep. Thomas Massie for lifting the sanctions.
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Center · The Hill
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Zelensky on Trump waiving Russia sanctions: ‘This Act could have helped enormously’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky decried President Trump’s late-night decision to waive sanctions and tariffs against Russia days before they were set to take effect under a new law. “At a time when the Russians have carried out such a massive attack on our energy sector, a decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard…
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The Guardian ·
The Hill ·
Washington Examiner ·
left: 6 · center: 4 · right: 3. Counts describe displayed outlets, not independent investigations or the accuracy of their reporting.
Source context: Senator Darline Graham, appointed to fill the Senate seat of her late brother, Lindsey, gently disagreed with the president’s decision to exempt Russia from the sanctions legislation.
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Coverage from 10/17/2026, 2:25:13 AM UTC to 10/17/2026, 8:14:00 PM UTC. A missing source may reflect feed or matching limitations.
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Center Left · The Guardian
Center Right · Washington Examiner
Center Left · Axios
Center · BBC News
Right · New York Post
Center · Bloomberg
Far Right · Townhall
Center Left · The New York Times
Center Left · TIME
6 publishers
President signed the legislation championed by late senator Lindsey Graham last month but has waived the restrictions as they were due to come into effectDonald Trump has put on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause on the legislation passed by both chambers was in the national interest.In an…
President Trump waived new sanctions on Russia late Friday night, saying it was in the "national interests" to hold off on the sweeping levies under the Graham Act that he signed just last month. Why it matters: Trump is easing American pressure on Russia despite a bipartisan chorus calling for him to do the exact opposite.It comes a week after his…
President Donald Trump suspended sweeping new sanctions against Russia passed by Congress, arguing in an executive order Friday that the move “is in the national interests of the United States.”
Senator Darline Graham, appointed to fill the Senate seat of her late brother, Lindsey, gently disagreed with the president’s decision to exempt Russia from the sanctions legislation.
Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said “Lindsey would be appalled.”
Experts say easing pressure on Moscow could bring limited relief to U.S. fuel buyers while undermining support for Kyiv.
4 publishers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky decried President Trump’s late-night decision to waive sanctions and tariffs against Russia days before they were set to take effect under a new law. “At a time when the Russians have carried out such a massive attack on our energy sector, a decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard…
Trump says parts of a new law that aims to punish Moscow for its war against Ukraine are against US national interests.
Republican members of Congress blasted President Donald Trump’s decision to waive a tariff law passed last month to restrict Russian energy exports, arguing that the move will help Moscow wage its war on Ukraine.
Trump signed the Graham Bill, which targeted Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, into law in September.
3 publishers
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) on Saturday issued rare approval of President Donald Trump, commending the White House for lifting sanctions on Russia. The White House waived the sanctions on Friday, after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) championed the penalties as a measure designed to support Ukraine in its war against Moscow. The sanctions relief…
President Trump paused a congressional Russia sanctions package in the national interest, shortly after announcing a deal for Russian diesel.
