Trump suspends Russia sanctions, drawing bipartisan backlash

President Trump signed an executive order late last week putting sanctions against Russia on hold, overriding a bipartisan bill passed by the Senate 86 to 11. The decision follows a deal struck with Vladimir Putin to secure Russian diesel. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the move a reward for Putin. The action drew sharp criticism from both parties, with Senator Tom Tillis calling it beyond irresponsible and Senator Ted Cruz stating it was a mistake. Senator Nikki Haley described it as a terrible misjudgment of Putin. Senator John Cornyn noted that the late Senator Lindsey Graham, for whom the law is named, would be appalled. Rumors suggest a summit between Trump, Putin, and Xi Jinping is being floated, excluding Zelenskyy. The administration is also facing backlash over its handling of the Ukraine conflict, with critics arguing the U.S. is abandoning a key ally.