U.S. President Donald Trump will take up to 60 days to assess the possible economic consequences of sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said. The review follows Trump's decision to temporarily waive key restrictions that were scheduled to take effect under a law designed to increase pressure on Moscow over its war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Rubio said the administration wanted to examine how the proposed measures could affect both the U.S. economy and global markets before deciding on the next steps. Trump also indicated that he had not yet announced a final decision on whether the restrictions would eventually be implemented.
The measures were intended to impose penalties on Russian goods and additional tariffs on products from countries that continue importing Russian oil and gas. The restrictions were expected to take effect the following week, but Trump's executive order temporarily waived key provisions while the administration evaluates their potential consequences.
India is among the countries that could face economic pressure under the proposed policy because it remains a major buyer of Russian oil. Rubio noted that Washington must consider the broader effects on important trading partners as well as the potential consequences for the United States and the international economy.
The decision has drawn criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who warned that delaying the restrictions could strengthen Russian President Vladimir Putin's position and potentially prolong the war in Ukraine. Some U.S. lawmakers have also expressed disagreement with the administration's decision to suspend the measures.
Alongside the sanctions review, Rubio defended a separate agreement involving Russian diesel supplies to international markets. Trump said Russia would initially provide more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel to the United States, with additional shipments expected in November and later months.
The administration has presented the arrangement as a way to help address fuel supply pressures and rising energy prices amid international conflicts and disruptions to oil markets. Rubio argued that Russian diesel would enter the global market regardless, making the destination of those supplies an important economic consideration.
The 60-day review leaves the future of the proposed sanctions and tariffs uncertain. The Trump administration will have to weigh its goal of increasing pressure on Russia against the possible effects on fuel costs, international trade and the economies of countries that depend on Russian energy supplies.