Stories
Zelenskyy Slams Trump Sanctions Waiver as Putin Targets Ukraine Grid
- •Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized US President Donald Trump for pausing sanctions on Russia, calling it a reward for Vladimir Putin.
- •The criticism follows intense Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, targeting 15 critical facilities ahead of winter.
- •Trump signed an executive order pausing sweeping economic sanctions following a deal with Putin to ease diesel supplies to global markets.
- •Zelenskyy urged international allies to maintain economic pressure and voiced hope that the proposed Lindsey Graham Act could still be implemented.
- •Russian officials hailed the suspension of sanctions as a historic victory, while Ukrainian air defenses intercepted numerous incoming missiles and drones.
Key Questions Answered
Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Donald Trump for signing an executive order that waives sweeping sanctions targeting Russia's energy revenues. He warned that easing economic pressure on Moscow rewards Vladimir Putin and encourages further attacks on Ukraine's energy grid ahead of winter.
Donald Trump bypassed the Lindsey Graham Act, which was designed to impose effective pressure on Russia by targeting its energy and defense sectors, Putin, and the shadow fleet of tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions. Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev celebrated the suspension of the act as an important and historic moment.
Donald Trump's sanctions waiver followed a deal he struck with Vladimir Putin to ease existing economic restrictions in exchange for Russia releasing large amounts of diesel onto global markets. The move came shortly after Putin appeared in military uniform and stated his goal to capture the rest of eastern Ukraine.
