Trump waives most new Russia sanctions Congress handed him as Republican allies warn the pressure on Putin is slipping

In roughly a week, the Trump administration set aside most of the measures passed by Congress last month and also loosened restrictions on Russian diesel exports. Hal Brands of the American Enterprise Institute described it as the most significant move yet to dismantle the sanctions architecture that has been in place since 2022. Trump contends the penalties would push Moscow away from peace talks. Critics worry that Vladimir Putin has concluded Trump will never actually deploy them.

Brands warned the threat 'may lose some credibility' if penalties are never imposed.

Republican lawmakers have already broken with Trump over the diesel deal with Russia.

US envoy Steve Witkoff has drawn fire for calling Putin 'a humanitarian'.