Trump blocks Russia sanctions

US President Donald Trump suspended several Russian sanctions on Friday night, two days before they were due to take effect. The sanctions had been passed by Congress and signed into law in September.

Trump's reason: keep Moscow talking

Trump said on Truth Social he is negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine and did not want to do anything that will drive Russia away from the bargaining table.

“I didn't want to "do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table".”

Zelensky calls it a historic mistake

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told NBC News on Sunday that siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be a historic mistake. He said he believed Trump would lift more sanctions against Russia.

“siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be a "historic mistake".”

Trump attacks Zelensky's negotiating

Trump said on Truth Social that Zelensky does not want to end the war and probably never did, adding he could have made a better deal two years ago than he can now.

“Zelensky "doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did".”

Russia calls suspension historic

Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev called Trump's order an important and truly historic moment. He said the sanctions would have inflicted serious damage on the US and global market.

“"an important and truly historic moment".”

US-Ukraine relations deteriorate

Relations between Washington and Kyiv frayed after the US struck a controversial deal to import Russian diesel last week. Zelensky said the deal was tantamount to the US investing in Russia's war effort.