Trump waives Russian sanctions as US-Ukraine relationship frays

On October 17, 2026, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving new sanctions against Russia that were set to take effect on October 18. Named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act was designed to clamp down on financial resources fueling Russia's war in Ukraine. Despite approving the legislation earlier, Trump blocked its implementation, citing national interest. This decision follows his controversial announcement a week prior that the US agreed to purchase Russian diesel to lower global energy prices, which could harm Ukraine’s war efforts.

The move has strained relations between the US and Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressing concerns over potential restrictions on intelligence sharing and access to satellite communications systems like Elon Musk's Starlink. However, UK Defense Secretary Wes Streeting received assurances from his US counterpart Pete Hegseth that Starlink access for Ukraine had been restored.

Trump has also refused to blame Russian President Vladimir Putin for starting the war in Ukraine, instead suggesting it was a mutual conflict, further complicating international relations amid ongoing hostilities and missile attacks on Ukraine's energy grid. The decision comes as midterm elections loom, with Trump facing significant political pressure from declining approval ratings and potential Republican losses. Christopher McKeon of *The Standard* highlights the growing concerns about the impact of these actions on Ukraine’s defense capabilities heading into winter.