Event Brief
Oct 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET
Wright defends Trump’s Russia sanctions waiver
By The BriefBrief
Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended President Donald Trump’s decision to waive new sanctions and tariffs intended to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying the move was “not an economic lifeline.” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said no Russian sanctions had been lifted and that only the diesel embargo had been lifted.
WHO: Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
WHAT: Wright defended Trump’s waiver of new sanctions and tariffs on Russia, while Bessent said no Russian sanctions had been lifted and only the diesel embargo had been lifted.
WHEN: Reported Oct 18, 2026 at 11:06 AM ET
WHERE: USA
WHY: Wright said the waiver was not an economic lifeline; the sanctions and tariffs were intended to pressure Putin. Bessent said the only measure lifted was the diesel embargo.
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