Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Sunday defended President Donald Trump’s decision to waive new sanctions and tariffs meant to pressure President Vladimir Putin, asserting that the exemption was not an “economic lifeline” for Russia.
“This is an incentive to Russia that if they can reduce the conflict with Ukraine, [if] they can get an energy ceasefire or reduce the conflict such that they have diesel to export will allow it to flow to world markets,” Wright said. “This is a carrot to try to end a war. It’s not an economic lifeline for Russia.”
Late Friday, Trump signed an executive order waiving new sanctions two days before they were set to take effect. The economic punishments were required under a bill named after the late Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham that the president signed exactly one month ago Sunday.
Graham’s sister, who replaced him in the Senate, said she disagreed with Trump.
“Personally I would choose to keep the pressure on Russia to end the war and get the gas prices down, because I don’t trust Putin and don’t trust Russia,” Darline Graham said Saturday.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Trump’s decision was “wrong,” adding, “It definitely helps only the Russians.”
But in his interview with ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz, Wright maintained that waiving these sanctions does pressure Russia.
“The only way Russia gets benefit from this move means they have to export diesel, which means they have to either consume less diesel internally, reduce the war effort, or have an ability to repair their refineries, which they only can get to through a peace agreement with Ukraine, an energy ceasefire, or a step towards peace,” Wright said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
