Energy Secretary Defends Waiving Sanctions on Russia

Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended President Donald Trump's decision to waive new sanctions and tariffs intended to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating on Sunday 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 during an interview on "This Week." "This is a carrot to try to end a war. It's not an economic lifeline for Russia."

Trump signed an executive order late Friday waiving the sanctions two days before they were scheduled to take effect. The economic measures were mandated by a bill named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, which the president signed exactly one month prior.

However, Darline Graham, Senator Graham's sister and successor, expressed disagreement with the president's decision. "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,” she said Saturday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also commented on the decision, calling it "wrong" and stating, "It definitely helps only the Russians."

Despite these criticisms, Wright maintained that waiving the sanctions does exert pressure on 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 explained.