Republican allies warn Putin pressure is slipping after Trump waives most of the new Russia sanctions Congress gave him

In roughly a week, the White House also shelved new tariffs on Moscow and loosened curbs on Russian diesel exports. Hal Brands of the American Enterprise Institute called it the biggest bid yet to unwind the sanctions regime built up since 2022. President Donald Trump insists hitting Moscow now could drive Vladimir Putin away from peace talks. Brands warns the threat 'may lose some credibility' if it is never used.

Congress enacted the penalties only last month, and most have already been waived.

Republican lawmakers have broken with Trump over the Russian diesel deal.

US envoy Steve Witkoff called Putin 'a humanitarian' after Moscow freed a jailed American.