US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order waiving a new Russia sanctions package shortly before it was due to take effect, citing the national interest. The decision has implications for US policy towards Moscow, support for Ukraine and wider European security.
The move came as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met European leaders in Brussels to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine and the future of international pressure on the Kremlin.
What Trump’s executive order does
The executive order places the newly approved sanctions and tariffs on hold. The measures had been introduced through the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which Trump signed into law in September.
The legislation was designed to increase economic pressure on Russia by targeting several parts of the country’s government, financial and military structures. Its provisions included potential measures against:
- Russian government and military officials;
- Major Russian banks;
- Vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet; and
- Russian goods and goods from countries continuing to purchase Russian oil and gas.
Trump’s latest action does not remove the legislation from the US statute book. Instead, it waives the package before implementation, meaning the sanctions and related tariffs will not proceed as originally planned while the waiver remains in effect.
Why the Russia sanctions decision matters in Europe
The decision is significant for European security and transatlantic policy because US sanctions have formed an important part of the broader international response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Any reduction in pressure from Washington could affect diplomatic calculations in Europe, even though EU sanctions are adopted separately by the European Union.
The United States and the EU do not operate one identical sanctions system. The European Union’s sanctions on Russia require decisions through the relevant EU institutions and remain distinct from executive action by the US president. The US waiver therefore does not automatically change EU sanctions or the legal position in EU member states.
However, the move may influence discussions about enforcement, frozen Russian assets, energy purchases and the future direction of Western policy. European governments have continued to balance support for Ukraine with concerns about energy security, economic exposure and the risk of weakening deterrence.
Diesel agreement adds to diplomatic concerns
The waiver follows an announcement by Trump earlier in October about an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin for Russia to release large quantities of diesel into global markets. Trump said the arrangement was intended to help reduce fuel prices.
According to Trump’s account, Russia would supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, followed by a further 500,000 tonnes in November and an additional one million tonnes after that. He also referred to a possible later delivery of three million tonnes, depending on the condition of Russian refineries.
The reported arrangement has raised questions about how energy cooperation with Russia could affect sanctions policy. Energy has remained central to Europe’s relationship with Moscow since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with governments seeking to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels while protecting consumers and industrial supply.
Zelenskyy warns against wider sanctions relief
Speaking in Brussels, Zelenskyy criticised the prospect of energy deals being followed by broader sanctions relief. He said Ukraine could not accept diesel arrangements if they were followed by gas agreements and the removal of restrictions affecting other sectors.
He also warned about possible consequences for:
- Russia’s banking system;
- Named individuals subject to restrictions;
- The chemical industry; and
- Assets frozen under sanctions regimes.
His comments came amid increasing public criticism from Trump of the Ukrainian president. Zelenskyy was asked whether he believed he had become a scapegoat for political difficulties in the United States ahead of the November midterm elections. He responded with a brief, wry comment rather than directly addressing the claim.
What happens next for Europe and Ukraine?
The immediate question is how long the US waiver will remain in place and whether Washington may revisit the sanctions package. The executive order creates a different position from the one established by the September legislation, but the source information does not set out a final timetable for implementation or further congressional action.
European governments will also need to assess whether the US decision changes diplomatic coordination over Russia. Any future EU sanctions decisions would follow the EU’s own legal and political process and should not be assumed from the US announcement.
For Ukraine, the issue extends beyond individual sanctions. Frozen Russian assets, financial restrictions and energy policy are all linked to the country’s effort to maintain international support while the war continues. Zelenskyy’s Brussels meetings underline the importance Kyiv places on European diplomacy as uncertainty grows around US policy.
Does the decision change EU sanctions?
No. The US executive order concerns American sanctions and tariffs. It does not by itself amend sanctions adopted by the European Union, nor does it change EU law. The practical effect on Europe will depend on subsequent decisions by EU member states, the European Commission and the Council of the European Union, as well as wider diplomatic developments.
Conclusion
Trump’s decision to waive the new Russia sanctions package marks a significant change in US policy before the measures could take effect. It does not cancel EU sanctions, but it introduces fresh uncertainty into transatlantic pressure on Moscow, energy diplomacy and support for Ukraine. The next important developments will be whether the waiver is extended, challenged or followed by further US decisions—and how European governments respond.
