Overview
The new Russia measures were due to take effect around October 18. An executive order dated October 16 waived some provisions before they began; on Saturday, Zelenskyy urged support for the law while lawmakers from both parties criticized the president’s decision.
The law itself opened a waiver route
The new Russia measures were due to begin around October 18. The White House order dated October 16 invokes Section 115 of the law, which lets the president waive specific sanctions, restrictions or duties on national-interest grounds, provided the administration certifies that determination to Congress and reports its basis.
The order says the certification was submitted. It waives duties under sections 112 and 113 and a specified set of sanctions provisions. The statute was not repealed; what changed was whether those provisions currently apply.
The order leaves earlier sanctions intact
The text says this waiver does not affect sanctions imposed under earlier executive orders responding to Russia’s national emergency. It sets no automatic expiration date. The waiver remains in place until the president or the secretary of state, after the required consultations, decides further action is appropriate.
Calling this a repeal of every U.S. measure against Russia would go beyond the text. Calling it a pause lasting only a few days would too. The order still directs the U.S. Trade Representative to monitor Russian oil and gas purchases and sanctions evasion, and report to the president.
Saturday’s response has not yet become congressional action
The Associated Press reported Saturday that Zelenskyy urged supporters to speak up for the law. A second AP report recorded criticism from both parties and said Congress would remain in recess until after the November 3 election, leaving no immediate legislative response in sight.
What is clear is that the order keeps a monitoring process and a path for later decisions. The documents and Saturday’s reactions do not say when the waiver will be revisited or whether new measures will follow.
Sources read for this article
Associated Press, “Zelenskyy urges backing for Russia sanctions put on hold by Trump,” published 2026-10-17 10:11:09 UTC. https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-trump-sanctions-energy-07e1dfc41bdad7b3292c6c263005fabc
Associated Press, “Trump’s decision to waive Russian sanctions outrages Congress, but no quick counter seen,” published 2026-10-17 15:09:00 UTC. https://apnews.com/article/trump-sanctions-waiver-russa-putin-ukraine-war-3cc9740c39e9e9eb713b1c553b5709e6
The White House, “Implementing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” dated 2026-10-16; no time zone stated. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/10/implementing-the-lindsey-o-graham-sanctioning-russia-and-iran-act-of-2026/