Wright and Bessent: main sanctions on Russia remain in force, the only exemption is for diesel, and the "Graham law" sanctions are merely suspended
Place: WashingtonRegion: Ukraine-wide and the front lineautomatic summary
Where the versions diverge
US ministers stress that the main sanctions remain in force and the "Graham law" is only suspended, and present the diesel deal as a way to motivate Russia; Rubio, according to The Moscow Times, speaks of a 60-day review. Ukrainian media call this strategy playing into the Kremlin's hands, and Lindsey Graham's sister favours keeping up the pressure.
What Russia reports
automatic summary US Energy Secretary Chris Wright told CNN that Trump has not cancelled the "Graham law" sanctions but only suspended their enforcement; restrictions on Russian oil remain "tougher than ever", and the only exemption is for diesel exports, which he said benefits American consumers. According to Wright, there are contacts with China on applying the law. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on NBC that no one has taken a tougher stance on sanctions against Russia than Trump and that Europe has given Russia more money than Ukraine. TASS writes that Turkey expects to receive Russian diesel under the deal. TASS also quotes Wright as saying Trump is looking for "innovative" ways to a settlement: rational dialogues, he said, have not worked, and the diesel deal gives Russia a motivation.
“Он просто приостановил их исполнение на данный момент”
“Главные санкции в отношении России остаются в силе”
“Никто не занимал более жесткую позицию в вопросе санкций против России, чем президент Дональд Трамп”
“Clearly, rational conversation dialogues have not worked.”
“This is quite innovative, actually.”
- Трамп приостановил санкции против России, но не отменял их, заявил Райт — RIA Novosti, 18 October, 16:05
- Главные санкции в отношении России остаются в силе, заявил Райт — RIA Novosti, 18 October, 16:26
- Бессент сказал, что позиция Трампа по санкциям в отношении РФ жестче, чем у его предшественников — Interfax, 18 October, 17:07
- Trump looking for ‘innovative’ ways of settling Ukrainian conflict — Energy Secretary — TASS (tass.com), 18 October, 18:25
- США не смягчили ни одной санкции по российской нефти, заявил Крис Райт — RIA Novosti, 18 October, 15:15
- В Турции рассчитывают получить дизель из РФ в рамках сделки с США — TASS (tass.ru, RSS), 18 October, 15:20
- США не ослабляли санкции против российской нефти — TASS (tass.ru, RSS), 18 October, 15:21
- В США отметили, что экспорт дизеля РФ позволит снизить цены — TASS (tass.ru, RSS), 18 October, 15:23
- Поставки дизеля из России в США выгодны потребителям, заявил Райт — RIA Novosti, 18 October, 15:25
- Минэнерго США: Трамп "ищет инновационные" способы урегулировать украинский конфликт — TASS (tass.ru, RSS), 18 October, 15:53
What Ukraine reports
automatic summary RBC-Ukraine, citing Reuters, writes that Turkey will take part of the Russian diesel under the deal and describes Washington's decision as playing into the Kremlin's hands, recalling the suspension of the "hellish sanctions".
“У рамках проведених нами переговорів ми будемо забирати частину цього дизельного палива до Туреччини”
“Однак така стратегія водночас грає на руку Кремлю.”
- Туреччина закупить російське паливо в межах дизельної угоди Трампа — RBC-Ukraine, 18 October, 18:33
What independent sources report
automatic summary The Moscow Times, citing Rubio, writes that Trump will take up to 60 days to assess the economic impact of the sanctions and tariffs; Senator Darline Graham, sister of the late Lindsey Graham, disagrees with the decision and favours keeping the pressure on Russia.
“the president will use up to 60 days to assess the economic impact”
“Personally, I would choose to keep the pressure on Russia”
- Rubio Says Trump To Take up to 60 Days To Weigh Russia Sanctions — The Moscow Times, 18 October, 10:19
Confirmation
Confirmation: confirmed by independent sources
The event is reported by international or exile independent outlets and no contradictions in the facts between the groups were detected. This does not mean the independent outlets verified every detail.
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