Trump waives new Russia sanctions; Zelenskyy calls it 'wrong'

· Politics · United States · Russia

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving the tariffs and sanctions on Russian energy exports that Congress had passed in a law he himself signed last month, citing national security concerns and the push to lower diesel prices before the midterms. Russia's government called the move 'historic'. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned it as 'wrong', saying it rewards Vladimir Putin and emboldens further attacks. The waiver drew bipartisan criticism in Congress, with Republican allies of Ukraine joining Democrats in arguing it undermines Kyiv's war effort. The rollback came in a damaging week for US-Ukraine ties that also included a reported diesel deal with Moscow and pressure over intelligence support.

Why it matters：Washington's retreat from sanctions pressure removes one of Kyiv's main levers against Moscow, and could reshape how Europe funds Ukraine's defence going into winter.

Key points

  • The waiver covers tariffs mandated under a law Trump signed in September targeting Russian energy exports.
  • Russia called the decision 'historic'; Republican and Democratic lawmakers both criticized it.
  • The move came alongside a diesel-supply deal seen as easing US fuel prices before midterms.

Sources (original reporting)

More stories from this day