Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who worked on the bill imposing "hellish sanctions" on Russia, has criticised US President Donald Trump’s decision to pause their implementation.
Blumenthal wrote about it in a post on X.
"Donald Trump once again confirms that he is siding with a bloodthirsty thug and those who enable Russia’s war machine, and against the majority of Americans, their representatives in both chambers of Congress, and our European allies.
Donald Trump confirms again that he stands on the side of a bloodthirsty thug & the enablers of Russia’s war machine & against the majority of Americans, their representatives in both houses of Congress, & our European allies. 1/ https://t.co/90KEVym3FI
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) October 17, 2026
This decision has nothing to do with US national security, and its only purpose is to curry favour with Vladimir Putin," the senator wrote.
- Donald Trump suspended the application of tariffs and sanctions provided for by Lindsey Graham’s law on sanctions against Russia, which he signed in September 2026. The decree formally sets tariff restrictions but includes a provision waiving their application.