Trump has blocked numerous Russia sanctions two days before they were due to take effect, deepening his row with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The sanctions were passed by Congress and signed into law by Trump in September, but his executive order on Friday night said suspending some was in the US 'national interest', drawing backlash from US lawmakers. Ties with Kyiv have frayed after the US struck a controversial deal to import Russian diesel, and Ukraine accused the administration of withdrawing key military support. The law gave Trump power to levy tariffs of up to 100% on the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas, mainly China and India, and targeted Putin, Russian banks and the 'shadow fleet', but many of these provisions are now waived. Democrats including Virginia Congressman Don Beyer accused Trump of capitulating to Moscow and betraying Ukraine.
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