Russia, US need to work together for global stability and prosperity: Trump

US President Donald Trump has suspended several sanctions targeting Russia, just two days before they were due to take effect, amid growing tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trump issued an executive order, stating that suspending certain sanctions was in the national interest of the US. On the Graham Act waiver, Trump said, “It's a very good decision, and it's going to be a decision that's good for the country, and I think good for the world because we're really at a world stage.” Russia and the US need to work together for global stability and prosperity, he said.“I have submitted to the Congress a certification that the issuance of such a waiver is in the national interests of the United States and a report explaining the basis for the certification,” Trump said.

President Trump on the Graham Act waiver: “It's a very good decision, and it's going to be a decision that's good for the country, and I think good for the world because we're really at a world stage.” Russia and the US need to work together for global stability and prosperity. https://t.co/rLpgEE1tkI

— Kirill Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) October 18, 2026

Trump lifted sanctions on Russian diesel exports earlier this month in an effort to curb rising energy prices ahead of the US midterm elections. The move sparked outrage in Ukraine and among America’s European allies, prompting a bipartisan group of US senators to accuse Trump of betraying Kiev. According to US media reports, Trump decided to ease sanctions after Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky refused to halt strikes on Russian energy facilities, which Trump blamed for high energy prices.On Friday, US Representative Gregory Meeks introduced a bill in Congress seeking to block the diesel agreement with Russia. The Democrat accused Trump of “cozying up to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and striking self-enriching deals instead of standing with Ukraine.”
According to agency report, Republican members of Congress blasted President Donald Trump’s decision to waive a tariff law passed last month to restrict Russian energy exports, arguing that the move will help Moscow wage its war on Ukraine.