Zelenskyy: Trump's Sanctions Pause Will Intensify Russia's War in Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday, 17 October, that US President Donald Trump's move to ease pressure on Russia will intensify the Kremlin's war in Ukraine. The warning came as Russia carried out one of its most severe attacks on Ukrainian power plants, seeking to leave cities without electricity before winter.

Zelenskyy said he expects further sanctions to be lifted. He called a deal for the US to buy Russian diesel the first step and said it would not stop Putin, who in his view feels encouraged by such support. He also urged Europe to open its own talks with Moscow, as Washington pursues better relations and business deals with the Kremlin.

A suspended sanctions law

On Friday, Trump told Congress he was putting on hold a new sanctions bill passed by both chambers, saying the pause served the national interest. The act is named after the late senator Lindsey Graham, who championed it. It would have targeted Russia's energy sector, financial institutions and the "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, and imposed tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil such as China and India. It was due to take effect in two days.

Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidential envoy, called the suspension an important and truly historic moment. Zelenskyy urged supporters in the US to help revive the law.

Diesel deal and strained ties

A week earlier, Trump said the US had agreed to buy diesel from Russia to try to lower global energy prices: more than 300,000 tonnes at once, 500,000 tonnes in November, then 1 million tonnes, and a further 3 million tonnes after that.

The decision follows a sharp quarrel between Trump and Zelenskyy. This week the US several times withheld intelligence on incoming ballistic missile attacks, and the White House reportedly ordered the Pentagon to throttle the military version of Starlink, which Ukraine's forces use for drone operations.

Strikes on energy

Trump has demanded that Ukraine stop hitting Russian oil refineries. Ukraine halted the strikes unilaterally after Trump declared an "energy ceasefire", but resumed them when it became clear Russia was stepping up attacks on Ukrainian power plants. Zelenskyy said the latest attack hit more than 15 power generation and transmission facilities, and that dwindling air defence stocks make it hard to shoot down many of the missiles and drones.