Trump's 60-day Russia sanctions waiver draws bipartisan congressional criticism

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US officials confirmed that President Trump has waived Graham Act sanctions and tariffs against Russia for a 60-day period to assess their impact on global and US energy markets, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the White House, which said on October 18 the pause aids peace negotiations. Rubio cited dependencies like India's reliance on Russian oil and defended a related US-Russia diesel deal. Congress, in recess until after the November 3 midterms, is unlikely to respond immediately, though Republicans Thom Tillis and John Cornyn and Democrats Chuck Schumer and Elizabeth Warren criticized the waiver. Trump himself called the decision "very good" for the US and the world, while Virgin Group founder Richard Branson condemned the policy and urged European leaders to boost military aid to Ukraine instead.

Sources:Kyiv Post The Moscow Times Ukrainska Pravda (EN)The Kyiv Independent

4 outlets · 8 articles · first seen Oct 18, 2:00 AM ET

Every source article

Richard Branson Condemns Trump Policy on Russia, Urges European Aid Kyiv Post
Trump Using 60-Day Pause to Review Russia Sanctions, Rubio Says Kyiv Post
Rubio Says Trump To Take up to 60 Days To Weigh Russia Sanctions The Moscow Times
White House Defends Russia Sanctions Waiver to Aid Peace Talks Kyiv Post
Rubio explains why Trump waived sanctions against Russia, says administration needs time to assess impact Ukrainska Pravda (EN)
US Congress Stalled on Response to Trump Russia Waiver – AP Kyiv Post
Marco Rubio says Trump's Russian oil sanctions waiver is a '60-day pause,' denies restricting Starlink access The Kyiv Independent
Trump calls decision to waive sanctions against Russia "very good" for US and "the world" Ukrainska Pravda (EN)

Every source article

Corroborated by 12 outlets (GDELT)