Trump blocks Russia sanctions

US President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving sanctions aimed at reducing money Russia receives from oil and gas sales.

Timing defies Russian escalation

The waiver came despite Russia increasing strikes on Ukraine and days before the measures were to take effect under a law Trump signed last month.

Trump cites national interest

Trump said the waiver was in the national interests of the US, without providing further explanation for the decision.

The Lindsey Graham Act targeted

The act targeted Russia's energy and defence sectors, Putin personally, and the shadow fleet of tankers Moscow uses to circumvent Western sanctions.

Zelensky attacks the decision

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the waiver after Russian forces attacked fifteen critical power generation facilities across Ukraine.

Zelensky's core complaint

Zelensky wrote that a US sanctions blackout eases pressure on Russia and provides financial rewards to Putin, encouraging continued attacks.

“A US sanctions blackout, easing pressure on the aggressor, financial rewards for Putin, all of this only encourages him to keep attacking.”

Russia celebrates the move

Kirill Dmitriev, a Putin envoy, called the suspension of the Graham Act an important and truly historic moment on social media.

“The Trump administration's suspension of the Graham Act is an important and truly historic moment.”

Dmitriev's economic argument

Dmitriev said the Graham Act would have caused serious damage first and foremost to the US economy and global markets.

Trump's deal with Putin

Trump's waiver came after he struck a deal with Putin to ease existing sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing large amounts of diesel onto global markets.

Zelensky rallies European support

Zelensky visited Brussels for an EU summit Friday, urging allies to keep financing Ukraine's fight and insisting he stood up for his country.

Europe increases its commitment

European Council chief Antonio Costa said now is the time to increase support and pressure, not withdraw it from Ukraine.

“Now it is time to increase our support, to increase our pressure.”

Putin vows to seize more territory

Putin told army leaders Friday he sees a positive trend in operations and said Moscow intends to seize the rest of east Ukraine by force, including the Donetsk People's Republic.

“Undoubtedly, one of the main objectives remains the liberation of the Donetsk People's Republic.”