Washington Turns Russia Sanctions Into an Energy-Price Waiver Fight

President Trump signed an executive order on October 16 waiving major sanctions, restrictions, and duties under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, just before implementation was due. The move drew congressional criticism and a public appeal from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while independent reports connected the pause to a broader energy-price and Russia-Ukraine posture fight. The strategic question is whether secondary sanctions remain a coercive tool or become a discretionary valve for managing fuel-market pressure.

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