Zelenskyy Says Trump’s Russia Sanctions Waiver ‘Rewards’ Putin As Ukraine Faces Winter Strikes

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday accused US President Donald Trump of rewarding Russian President Vladimir Putin by suspending new sanctions against Moscow, as Russian forces intensified attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure ahead of winter.

Zelenskyy urged Americans and Ukraine’s international partners to support the Lindsey Graham Act, warning that easing economic pressure on Russia could encourage further attacks. “A US sanctions blackout, easing pressure on the aggressor, financial rewards for Putin - all of this only encourages him to keep attacking,” he said in a social media post.

Trump signed an executive order on Friday, October 16, waiving several provisions of the sanctions law, which he said was necessary in the national interest of the United States. The legislation, signed into law in September, was designed to increase pressure on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. It provided for sanctions and restrictions on Russian interests and potential 100 per cent tariffs on major importers of Russian oil and gas.

The waiver came shortly before the measures were due to take effect on October 18 and followed a controversial US-Russia agreement involving Russian diesel supplies. Trump’s decision has drawn criticism from Ukrainian officials and US lawmakers who argue that it could weaken Washington’s leverage over Moscow.

Zelenskyy said the legislation could still help bring the war to an end if implemented effectively. He called on supporters in the United States to raise their voices in favour of the sanctions, saying international pressure remained important.

Meanwhile, Russia launched one of its largest recent assaults on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, targeting more than 15 critical power-generation and transmission facilities across several regions, according to Zelenskyy. He warned that Moscow was attempting to leave millions of Ukrainians without electricity and heating as temperatures fell.

Ukraine’s air force said Russian forces launched four cruise missiles and 332 attack drones overnight. Ukrainian air defences intercepted or suppressed all four missiles and 289 drones, although strikes hit multiple locations. Regional authorities reported civilian casualties, including deaths in the southern city of Kherson and the northeastern city of Sumy.

The Kremlin had not issued a direct response to Trump’s decision at the time of reporting. However, Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the suspension, describing it as an “important and truly historic moment” and arguing that the legislation could have harmed the US economy and global markets.

Zelenskyy, who met European leaders at an EU summit in Brussels on Friday, has urged allies to continue financing Ukraine’s defence. With diplomatic efforts yet to produce a breakthrough, Kyiv fears that sustained attacks on power facilities could trigger widespread winter blackouts, disrupting electricity, heating and water supplies for civilians.