President Trump waived new sanctions on Russia late Friday night, saying it was in the "national interests" to hold off on the sweeping levies under the Graham Act that he signed just last month.

Why it matters : Trump is easing American pressure on Russia despite a bipartisan chorus calling for him to do the exact opposite.

It comes a week after his surprise deal to let Russia sell diesel internationally, which Republicans have condemned as loudly as Democrats.

It also puts Republican candidates making their final midterm sprint in the position of having to defend the president's warmer relationship with a country voters overwhelmingly see as an American enemy .

The latest: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lamented Trump's decision in a post to X Saturday morning.

"This Act could have helped enormously – and still can!…