Trump’s Russia Sanctions Waiver Sparks GOP Backlash as Ukraine Warns of Historic Mistake
President Donald Trump is facing sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers after signing an executive order Friday evening that waives key sanctions and tariffs intended to pressure Russia to end its war in Ukraine. The move, which suspends measures under the Graham Act—legislation Trump himself signed last month—has drawn bipartisan rebuke, with some warning it could undermine economic pressure on Moscow. The Graham Act, authored by Sen. Lindsey Graham, authorized tariffs of up to 100% on certain goods from major buyers of Russian oil and gas. Trump’s decision to waive those measures comes as the cost of living and gas prices remain top issues for voters, with the Iran war driving up fuel costs and pushing overall inflation higher.nnOne lawmaker who played a major role in passing the sanctions bill called the president’s move a “craven, cowardly action.” The criticism underscores the rare bipartisan support the sanctions law initially enjoyed. “That was a major victory: this truly bipartisan support,” the lawmaker added, highlighting the frustration over the waiver. The backlash extends beyond sanctions: four Republican senators—Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine, John Cornyn of Texas, and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska—have asked the Defense Department inspector general to investigate potential restrictions on critical capabilities. In a letter, they wrote that “any restrictions on these capabilities, particularly without advance notification, raise serious questions about the Department of Defense’s contractual oversight and its responsibility to ensure continuity of essential services.”nnSeparately, Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut hosted a video call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday and said he confirmed that “critical Starlink services remain degraded,” impeding Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian drones. The degradation of Starlink—a vital communications tool for Ukraine’s military—adds to concerns that the waiver could weaken Kyiv’s defensive capabilities. Zelenskyy has warned that the decision could be a historic mistake, though his direct quote was not provided. The White House has not publicly commented on the backlash.nnThe waiver of sanctions and tariffs under the Graham Act marks a significant shift in U.S. policy toward Russia, raising questions about the administration’s strategy to
Shimanta Das 
