Trump Waives Russia Sanctions as Zelenskyy Warns of Winter Blackout Plot
The Trump administration has paused new sanctions on Russia and floated a diesel export deal, while Ukraine's president warns Moscow is plotting to cut power and heat to civilians this winter.
U.S. President Donald Trump has put new Russia sanctions passed by Congress on hold, telling lawmakers the pause was in the national interest but giving no further details [265078][265114]. The move comes a week after Trump said the U.S. had agreed to buy diesel from Russia in an effort to bring down global energy prices [265078]. The White House is waiving the sanctions despite congressional approval, reportedly fearing that high energy prices could hurt Republicans in next month's elections — a shift in U.S. policy toward Moscow [265125].
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the sanctions pause unfortunate and said it would encourage Russia to continue its assault [265114]. He urged support for the new sanctions and warned that Russia is trying to cut electricity and heating to civilians as winter approaches, accusing Moscow of deliberately targeting energy supplies to leave people without power or heat [265114][265193]. Zelenskyy also criticized the U.S. president's decision to waive new sanctions on Moscow, saying the move gives a boost to Russian President Vladimir Putin [265193].
Trump has separately announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to an "energy ceasefire" that would stop attacks on energy infrastructure in both countries, though he gave no details on when it would start or how long it would last, and neither Russia nor Ukraine confirmed the deal [259876]. Ukraine's government reported fresh strikes after the announcement, and Russia did not comment on the agreement [260397].
Trump's envoys have told Ukrainian officials that a deal to allow Russian diesel exports is part of an effort to bring Russia back to negotiations, following the failure of earlier attempts to start lasting talks to end the war [260892]. Zelenskyy described the diesel deal as a "first step" and said he hopes Trump "will do everything in his power" to stop attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and end the war [264721].
The policy moves have raised serious questions about the future of American support for Ukraine. Trump has repeatedly criticized Zelenskyy, expressing frustration over high energy costs and blaming them partly on Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil refineries [265028]. A diesel deal could help Russia fund its war effort, and a disruption of U.S.-provided satellite internet services has raised concerns about Ukraine's military capabilities [265028].