Trump says Russia sanctions waiver preserves Ukraine peace talks
President Trump defended his decision to waive sanctions on Russia, saying it keeps Moscow involved in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. He also argued the waiver discourages Russia from helping Iran and criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for resuming strikes on Russian oil refineries. Zelensky had condemned the sanctions waiver, saying the package could have helped Ukraine significantly.
Trump said in a Sunday social media post that holding off on signing the Russia sanctions measure would keep Moscow from leaving peace talks. He added that the waiver also aims to discourage Russia from increasing support for Iran.
He criticized Zelensky’s renewed strikes on Russian oil facilities, saying they disrupt global diesel supplies, including in the U.S. Zelensky had argued the sanctions package would have provided major help to Ukraine. The measure was designed to pressure the Kremlin through tariffs on major Russian energy buyers and sanctions evaders.
The waiver could affect Ukrainian civilians and soldiers by shaping whether peace talks advance or stall, while Russian officials may read it as reduced pressure. U.S. consumers and industries may feel effects through diesel prices if refinery strikes continue. Lawmakers and allied governments may debate whether sanctions relief weakens or preserves leverage, potentially influencing public trust in U.S. diplomacy.