US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order suspending newly passed sanctions on Russia and on countries that buy its oil and gas, days before the measures were due to take effect, saying the waiver was in the American national interest.

The blocked measures were part of the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, known as the Graham Act, which Congress passed with bipartisan support last month. They would have allowed tariffs of up to 100 percent on goods from the five biggest importers of Russian crude oil or gas, a list that includes China and India, and penalties for countries found to be helping Moscow evade sanctions. Trump had signed the law before suspending its key provisions.

The decision drew criticism from both parties. Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina called it 'beyond irresponsible' and accused the administration of giving in to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas said the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who pushed the law through, 'would be appalled'. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren accused Trump of 'thumbing his nose' at Congress, and Representative Don Beyer said the waiver betrayed Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said easing pressure on Moscow would encourage more attacks. 'Financial rewards for Putin - all of this only encourages him to keep attacking,' he wrote on X, urging Washington to maintain its pressure on Russia.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump wanted a 60-day period to assess what imposing both sanctions and tariffs would mean for the global and US economies. He noted that India, a major importer, had 'voluntarily diversified' its energy sources but still bought substantial supplies from Russia, adding that the president needed time to work out the right balance. The waiver came shortly after a separate US deal to buy Russian diesel, which Trump said would bring 300,000 tonnes into US and global markets immediately, with more to follow. Congress is in recess until after the 3 November midterm elections, limiting the chance of an immediate challenge.