Trump Pauses New Russia Sanctions, Says Critics of Additional Measures Are ‘Stupid People’
President Donald Trump paused sanctions on major buyers of Russian oil and gas, citing US national interests and efforts to secure the release of American Stephen Hubbard. Hubbard was released on October 21 during special envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to Saint Petersburg. The move drew sharp criticism from US lawmakers from both parties.
Key points
- Trump paused sanctions on major buyers of Russian oil and gas on October 16.
- He signed H.R. 5334 on September 18 and set an implementation deadline of October 18.
- The law expands sanctions, restricts new US investment in Russia and bans purchases of Russian sovereign debt.
- It sets 500% tariffs on Russian goods and secondary tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.
- Stephen Hubbard was released on October 21 during Steve Witkoff’s visit to Saint Petersburg.
- Trump said he requested Hubbard’s release and denied that a prisoner exchange occurred.
- Congressional criticism came from both Democrats and Republicans.
Why it matters
The pause weakens measures intended to raise costs for major buyers of Russian energy and restrict other channels supporting Russia’s war economy. It also exposed sharp divisions among US lawmakers from both parties, while the congressional recess delayed an immediate institutional response.
What happened
Trump signed H.R. 5334 on September 18 and set 30 days for its provisions to take effect by October 18. The law expanded sanctions on Russian officials, banks and vessels involved in circumventing restrictions on Russian energy trade, prohibited new US investment in Russia and purchases of Russian sovereign debt, and established tariffs on Russian goods and major buyers of Russian oil and gas. On October 16, Trump paused the sanctions against those buyers, saying the decision served US national interests and arguing it was impractical to seek Hubbard’s release while increasing pressure on Moscow. He linked the policy reversal to Hubbard’s case, and the American was released on October 21 during special envoy Steve Witkoff’s visit to Saint Petersburg. Trump said he had requested the release and that no prisoner exchange occurred; the Kremlin attributed it to humanitarian considerations. On October 17, Trump also signed an order cancelling some sanctions, restrictions and tariffs under the Graham law. US lawmakers from both parties sharply criticized the decision.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian media emphasized Trump’s criticism of sanctions advocates and the implications of his policy for Ukraine. The coverage placed the decision within the dispute over a diesel-fuel license, full implementation of the Graham law, and allegations by US lawmakers that the arrangement amounted to a betrayal of the Ukrainian people.
Where reporting differs
The Ukrainian sources differ over the timing and sequence of congressional approval and the president’s signature of H.R. 5334.
Background
On October 9, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control issued General License No. 135, permitting transactions involving Russian diesel fuel. On October 14, a bipartisan group of 12 senators called on Trump to revoke the license and fully implement the Graham law, describing the diesel arrangement as a betrayal of the Ukrainian people. On October 22, 22 lawmakers from both parties urged Trump to immediately apply the sanctions. Stephen Hubbard, a 74-year-old former teacher from Michigan, was captured by Russian forces in Ukraine in April 2022. A Russian court convicted him of allegedly fighting for Ukraine as a mercenary, while the United States declared his detention unlawful.