US President Donald Trump blocked the implementation of a new package of sanctions against Russia stipulated by a law he signed in September. The restrictions were due to take effect by October 18. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
He justified the decision by US national interests, Reuters reports.
In an executive order published by the White House on October 16, Trump invoked the right not to apply sanctions if he considers it to be in the country's interests.
"I have sent Congress confirmation that granting such a waiver at this time is in the national interests of the United States," the document says.
The law provided for raising duties on Russian goods by 500%, and on goods from the five largest buyers of Russian oil and gas by 100% if they continued purchases from October 18. Additional duties also threatened countries helping to circumvent oil sanctions.
Trump suspended the application of these measures and a number of other restrictions. There is now no date for their launch: the waiver remains in effect until the president or officials authorized by him deem further action necessary. Previously imposed sanctions, which the order separately preserves, continue to apply.
In September, Trump signed a law expanding sanctions against Russia. In addition to duties, the document provided for restrictions against Russian officials, banks, energy companies and the "shadow fleet." Its authors expected to reduce Moscow's revenues and increase pressure on it to end the war in Ukraine.
However, already on October 9, Trump agreed with Vladimir Putin on supplies of Russian diesel to the American and global markets. According to him, Russia was to immediately supply more than 300 thousand tons of fuel, another 500 thousand tons in November, and then 1 million tons. The US president hoped to lower prices in this way.