Former US Diplomat Fried Warns Mixed Signals Could Undercut Russia Sanctions
The lawmakers said sanctions relief would embolden Moscow and prolong the war, citing Congress’s new authority to target Russian energy buyers.
- A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers urged President Donald Trump on Tuesday not to ease sanctions against Russia, responding to reports that his administration is considering relief in exchange for political prisoner releases.
- Signed by Trump on September 18, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 grants the administration authority to impose tariffs of up to 100% on major Russian oil buyers.
- Senator Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, urged the President on Tuesday to use these powers to pressure Russia's trading partners, while former diplomat Daniel Fried stressed that consistent implementation is vital.
- Lawmakers warned that "sanctions relief will embolden Russia and prolong the war," pushing back against reported plans to exchange sanctions easing for political prisoner releases previously used with Belarus.
- The administration faces an October 18 deadline for the first round of new sanctions designations under the legislation, a critical test as Moscow continues its invasion without offering concessions.
13 Articles
13 Articles
In Congress, Trump was called upon not to relax the sanctions against Russia and to increase pressure on Moscow. U.S. Congressional Ukrainian Cop called on Donald Trump's administration to strengthen sanctions against Russia and stressed the first deadline under the new law, 18 October.
The bipartisan pro-Ukraine group in the US Congress has called on the Trump administration not to ease sanctions against Russia, following recent reports that President Trump would ease punitive measures against Russia in exchange for the release of political prisoners, Ukrinform reported.
Former US Diplomat Fried Warns Mixed Signals Could Undercut Russia Sanctions
The United States has new powers to increase economic pressure on Russia, but their impact will depend on whether the Trump administration uses them consistently and makes clear what it wants Moscow and other governments to do, former US diplomat Daniel Fried told RFE/RL.
Four US representatives are demanding new sanctions.
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