Trump defends Russia sanctions relief as Zelenskyy rift deepens

· Politics · United States · Russia

US President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his decision to block new sanctions on Russia and cut a diesel export deal with Moscow, saying he did not want to drive Vladimir Putin away from peace talks. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump would take up to 60 days to weigh the sanctions. Trump also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of prolonging the war, while Zelenskyy said Trump was pressuring Kyiv to capitulate. Zelenskyy said he was holding talks with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with a view to arranging new peace meetings as early as this week, and thanked Washington for resuming intelligence sharing. A UK minister signalled a "different view" from Trump on sanctions, highlighting allied divergence.

Why it matters：Washington's shift toward easing pressure on Moscow reshapes the Ukraine war's diplomatic track and strains US ties with European allies.

Key points

  • Trump blocked new Russia sanctions two days before they were due to take effect.
  • Rubio said Trump would take up to 60 days to weigh the sanctions.
  • Zelenskyy said he was speaking with Witkoff and Kushner about new peace talks.

Sources (original reporting)

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