'You'll figure it out': Trump defends Russia sanctions waiver as Republicans, Democrats criticise decision

US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to exempt Russia from sweeping sanctions under a new law, calling it a “very good decision” amid criticism from lawmakers across party lines.Speaking to reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Saturday evening, Trump said the implications of his decision were not yet fully understood.“A lot of you don’t know what my decision is yet, but we’ll figure it out, and you’ll figure it out,” Trump said, news agency PTI reported.“It’s a very good decision, and it’s going to be a decision that’s good for the country, and I think good for the world because we’re really at a world stage,” he added.Trump on Friday signed an executive order exempting Russia from a new sanctions measure passed by Congress last month. The order also granted a waiver from 100% tariffs on the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India.The exemptions will remain in effect until Trump or the secretary of state, in consultation with the treasury secretary and the US trade representative where appropriate, determines that further action is necessary.Lawmakers from both parties criticise TrumpTrump’s decision has drawn criticism from Republicans and Democrats who had supported the legislation, known as the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act.Republican Senator Darline Graham of South Carolina questioned the decision, saying she would prefer to maintain pressure on Moscow to end the war and bring down energy prices.“Personally, I would choose to put the pressure on Russia to end the war and get gas prices down, because I don’t trust Putin, and I don’t trust Russia,” she said.Graham had been endorsed by Trump to fill the Senate seat left vacant following the death of her brother, Senator Lindsey Graham, who had championed the sanctions legislation.Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts accused Trump of disregarding Congress and enabling Putin to continue Russia’s war against Ukraine.Warren urged lawmakers to take action to reverse the decision, adding to the bipartisan criticism of the administration’s approach to sanctions against Moscow.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.