In a big relief for India and China, US President Donald Trump has waived off many Russia-related sanctions, restrictions, and duties, a day before they were to take effect under a bill he signed last month.

The legislation, whose primary backer in Congress was the late Senator Lindsey Graham, would have paved the way for up to 100 per cent tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and gas – putting India and China under threat.

The executive order came as Trump has been warming toward Russia and publicly criticising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, including suggesting that Ukraine needs a new leader.