US President Donald Trump has used his presidential authority to block numerous sanctions on Russia that were recently passed by the US Congress, stating in an executive order on Friday night that it is in the US "national interests" to withhold some of them. The sanctions bill, which Trump signed into law in September, was due to take effect on Sunday. This move comes days after Trump announced the US would import Russian diesel to lower energy prices, a plan that has triggered bipartisan backlash from lawmakers and criticism from allies.