Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused US President Donald Trump of rewarding Russian President Vladimir Putin, after Trump signed an executive order on Friday pausing a sweeping package of sanctions aimed at Russia’s economy and energy revenues.
“A US sanctions blackout, easing pressure on the aggressor, financial rewards for Putin — all of this only encourages him to keep attacking,” Zelenskyy said on social media on Saturday. He urged supporters in the United States to back the Lindsey Graham Act, which targets Russia’s energy and defence sectors and the “shadow fleet” of tankers used to get around Western sanctions.
His remarks came as Russia stepped up strikes on Ukraine’s power grid ahead of winter. Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched four cruise missiles and 332 drones overnight, and at least two people were killed in attacks on Kherson and Sumy.
In Moscow, Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev called the suspension of the Graham Act “an important and truly historic moment”. The waiver follows a deal between Trump and Putin to ease existing sanctions in exchange for Russia releasing large amounts of diesel onto global markets.
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