Trump waives several Russia sanctions as new US law takes effect

Image source, Reuters By Max Matza Published 2 hours ago US President Donald Trump has used his presidential authority to block numerous sanctions on Russia that were recently passed by the US Congress in an effort to punish the country for its war on Ukraine. In an executive order on Friday night, Trump said that it is in the US "national interests" to withhold some of the sanctions. Trump signed the sanctions bill into law in September, and it was due to take effect on Sunday. It comes days after Trump said the US would import Russian diesel in an effort to bring down US energy prices before the midterm elections in November, which will decide which party controls Congress.