Key facts
- Trump administration paused new sanctions on Russia, including tariffs on oil importers.
- Zelenskyy warned the move will intensify the war in Ukraine and embolden Putin.
- Russia launched major strikes on Ukraine's power plants, causing severe consequences.
- The paused legislation included sanctions on Russia's energy sector and financial institutions.
- Zelenskyy called for Europe to establish its own negotiations with Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that Donald Trump's decision to roll back sanctions on Russia will intensify the Kremlin's war in Ukraine. Moscow recently launched one of its most severe strikes on Ukraine's power plants, aiming to disrupt cities before winter. Zelenskyy expressed concern that the Trump administration would lift more sanctions against Russia and urged Europe to initiate its own negotiations with Moscow, as the US seeks improved ties and business deals with the Kremlin.
Zelenskyy described the lifting of sanctions as a "reward" that would encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin. He noted that the US sanctions pause, which includes halting tariffs on Russian oil imports, "cannot stop Putin; on the contrary, he feels joy and happiness that he has such support." The Ukrainian president called for continued efforts to end the war, not to give Putin reasons to prolong it.
On Friday, Trump announced a hold on a new sanctions package against the Russian economy, citing national interest. The legislation, championed by the late Senator Lindsey Graham, would have imposed strict sanctions, including a 100% tariff on major Russian oil importers like China and India, and sanctions on Russia's energy sector, financial institutions, and oil tanker fleet.
Zelenskyy lamented the decision to waive the sanctions, especially as Russia escalated attacks on Ukraine's energy sector. He stated that the "Lindsey Graham law" could have imposed effective pressure on Russia to end the war. The move was welcomed by Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev as an "important and truly historic moment."
Last week, Trump announced an agreement for the US to purchase diesel from Russia to help lower global energy prices, reversing years of pressure on Moscow. Trump stated that Russia would supply millions of tonnes of diesel in the coming months. The Trump administration's decision follows a period of tension between Trump and Zelenskyy, with reports of the US withholding intelligence on missile attacks and throttling the Starlink satellite internet network for Ukraine's armed forces.