Rubio says Russia sanctions pause will assess economic impact

Summary

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump's waiver of sweeping sanctions and tariffs on Russia would be a 60-day pause to assess their impact on the global economy. He said the restrictions involved countries beyond Russia; Middle East Eye also reports Rubio cited conflicts affecting energy prices and the US economy, and says the waiver followed a deal with Vladimir Putin to allow Russian diesel exports in exchange for easing sanctions.

Timeline

1. The Straits Times

   18 Oct 2026, 01:15 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports Rubio said Trump paused Russia sanctions to analyse their impact on the global economy, noting that the restrictions involved countries beyond Russia.

2. Middle East Eye

   18 Oct 2026, 01:55 UTCSource ↗

   Middle East Eye reports Rubio described the waiver as a 60-day pause to assess effects on the global and US economies, and cited conflicts affecting energy prices; it also says the waiver followed a deal with Vladimir Putin to allow Russian diesel exports in exchange for easing sanctions.

3. RTÉ

   18 Oct 2026, 02:28 UTCSource ↗

   RTÉ reports Rubio said Trump's waiver of sweeping sanctions and tariffs on Russia would be a 60-day pause to analyse their impact on the global economy.