Trump's
executive order Friday exempted Russia from much of the Lindsey O. Graham
Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which he signed in September to target
Russian officials, banks, and oil buyers. The move followed a diesel fuel deal
to lower U.S. energy prices and drew rebukes from critics like Mike Pence, who
called it a signal of weakness dishonoring the law's namesake.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned on NBC that U.S. alignment with Russia would be a historic mistake, while supporters like Sen. James Lankford said it prioritizes American interests and pushes for negotiations.