US President Donald Trump said he believes his decision to suspend the implementation of new large-scale sanctions against Russia is correct. The American leader is confident that this move enjoys universal support.

Trump made the statement on October 22, according to the White House Rapid Response official account on social network X.

The US president again defended his decision to waive the sanctions package that was termed in the US as "sanctions from hell". Trump expressed confidence in the rightness of the chosen course and said his position is shared by everyone.

However, the claim of universal support contradicts the public reaction of American lawmakers. The administration's decision was earlier criticized by members of both the Democratic and Republican parties, who called on the White House to maintain economic pressure on Moscow.

Recall, on October 16, Trump signed an executive order suspending the implementation of key provisions of the law on sanctions against Russia and Iran named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham.

The law, signed by the president on September 18, provided for additional tariffs up to 500% on Russian goods, as well as restrictions on countries continuing to buy Russian energy resources. The main provisions were due to take effect on October 18.

At the same time, Trump's decision does not mean abolishing all current US sanctions against Russia. It primarily concerns waiving the new restrictions provided by the Graham Act. Previously imposed sanctions under other executive orders remain in force.

The White House explained the suspension by US national interests and the necessity to continue negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.

Trump also earlier said that imposing additional sanctions during negotiations with Moscow could complicate reaching an agreement. The US president believes the sides have moved closer to a possible settlement of the war.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, by contrast, criticized Washington's decision, saying that abandoning additional economic pressure helps Russia continue the war.

As previously reported by "Курс Украины", the presidential order contains no specific date for automatic renewal of sanctions. Restrictions can remain suspended until a new decision by the US administration.

Source: Rapid Response / The White House, The White House, ABC News.