Taylor calls Trump's Graham Act waiver inexplicable
William B. Taylor Jr.Former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine
Taylor calls Trump's waiver of the Graham Act sanctions inexplicable, lists it with the earlier diesel waiver as actions in support of Russia, and says Trump should put pressure on Putin to end the war.
“Well, Brian, it's inexplicable that the United States would take these actions, that the President would take these actions in support of Russia.”
Interview
Where this statement fits
Trump waives the Graham Act's Russia sanctions
The White House says waiving the Graham Act's Russia measures preserves room for peace negotiations. Lawmakers from both parties and Volodymyr Zelenskyy say relief weakens pressure on Russia. Thomas Massie welcomes Trump's use of the authority Congress granted.
Source and context
Interview
About this source
Taylor criticizes sanctions relief and argues for pressure on Putin. The interview also addresses separate disputes about military assistance.
Before the quotation
CNN anchor Brian Abel asks Taylor about Trump's executive order waiving a further slate of Russia sanctions that were due to take effect in the coming days.
After the quotation
Taylor goes on to name the waiver of the Graham bill, which Taylor says Congress passed overwhelmingly, and the earlier waiver that let Russia sell diesel. Later in the interview, Taylor says Trump should put pressure on Putin rather than give Putin gifts.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is Trump's waiver of the Graham Act's Russia sanctions. Taylor calls the waiver an inexplicable action in support of Russia and says ending the war requires pressure on Putin.
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More from this case
Read the full caseHaley calls the Graham Act waiver a misjudgment of Putin
“It's a terrible misjudgment of Putin”Read statement
Zelenskyy says the waiver helps Russia continue the war
“This certainly does not stop the war.”Read statement
Massie welcomes the Graham Act waiver
“Glad to see Trump has used the executive authority granted to him by Congress to waive almost all of the provisions”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Taylor calls Trump's Graham Act waiver inexplicable". First published: 2026-10-19. Last updated: 2026-10-19. https://disputeindex.com/events/6025-taylor-calls-trump-s-waiver-of-the-graham