Oct 18, Kathmandu - US President Donald Trump has put a 60-day moratorium on imposing additional economic sanctions and tariffs on Russia.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that time has been taken to study the impact on the global economy. However, US lawmakers and Ukraine have criticized Trump's decision, saying that it will benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to Rubio, conflicts such as the war with Iran and attacks by the Houthi group in Yemen have increased the price of oil and diesel on the global market. He said that the potential impact of the proposed sanctions and tariffs on Russia should be analyzed because they are having an impact on the entire economy.

The law passed by the US Congress last month gave the president the authority to impose sanctions on Russian officials, the wealthy class and financial institutions, as well as take action against major buyers of Russian oil and gas. The law was introduced with the aim of preventing Russia from raising funds for the war in Ukraine.

However, two days before the law was to be implemented, Trump granted a 60-day reprieve through an executive order on Friday.

Even members of Trump's own Republican party have expressed their displeasure with Trump's decision. Republican Senator Thom Tillis called the decision irresponsible and said that the focus should be on solving problems related to Iran rather than helping Russian President Putin to lower energy prices. Another Republican Senator Ted Cruz also called the decision a mistake.

Rubio argued that it would be practical for the United States to benefit from Russian diesel supplies, since they will reach the world market in one way or another. Diesel is used as an important fuel in road construction, agriculture and construction.

The rise in fuel prices due to the war with Iran has become a major concern for voters ahead of next month's US midterm elections. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concern that the US may lift additional sanctions on Russia. He commented that Trump's decision has rewarded Putin.