US suspends new sanctions against Russia for 60 days to assess economic impact

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on October 17, 2026, that President Donald Trump has suspended the implementation of new sanctions against Russia for a period of 60 days. This legislative package, recently passed by Congress, primarily targeted the Russian energy sector. According to Rubio, the administration intends to use this pause to conduct a thorough analysis of how these measures and potential tariffs might affect both the global economy and the domestic economy of the United States.

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Ukraine, further intensifying diplomatic tensions that have been building between Kyiv and Washington over the past week. Rubio cited concerns regarding volatile energy prices, noting additional global pressures stemming from the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, as well as attacks by Houthi rebels in Yemen against Saudi Arabia. The Secretary of State provided these details prior to his diplomatic departure for visits to Uzbekistan and India.

As of now, the administration maintains that the 60-day window is strictly for analytical purposes to determine the sustainability of the sanctions. No further adjustments to the policy have been announced, and the sanctions remain in a suspended state while the White House evaluates the broader economic implications.