A Russian presidential envoy has called US President Donald Trump’s decision to waive a new package of sanctions on Russia a “historic moment”. Kirill Dmitriev, envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, made the remark on social media on Saturday.
Trump signed an executive order on Friday that set aside wide-ranging US sanctions and tariffs aimed at Russian energy revenues. The measures had been due to take effect two days later.
The decision came amid a dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which has fuelled speculation that the American leader is moving closer to Moscow. The move comes nearly five years into Russia’s offensive against Ukraine, a war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.
Dmitriev says suspended Graham Act would have hurt US economy
The suspended measure is the Lindsey Graham Act, named after the late US senator who sponsored the bill. It targeted Russia’s energy and defence sectors, along with Putin and other senior officials.
Dmitriev argued that the act would have caused serious harm, first and foremost, to the US economy and global markets.
Kremlin and Putin yet to respond to waiver
The Kremlin and Putin have not yet reacted publicly to the move, which marks a significant diplomatic gain for Moscow. Earlier on Friday, Putin appeared in military uniform and said Moscow intends to seize the rest of eastern Ukraine.
