NRT briefing
Trump waives several Russia sanctions as row with Zelensky intensifies
Based on reporting by BBC News.
The Brief
US President Donald Trump has waived numerous sanctions on Russia two days before they were due to take effect, citing "national security" concerns. The sanctions, which were passed by Congress and signed into law in September, targeted Russia's economy, including tariffs on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, and measures against senior Russian figures and financial institutions.
The move has drawn backlash from lawmakers, including Democratic Congressman Don Beyer, who accused Trump of "capitulating to Moscow."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the waiver was unfortunate, saying the sanctions "could have helped enormously" and that Russia is "trying to cause a blackout in Ukraine – right before winter." This comes amid a row between Trump and Zelensky, with Trump calling Zelensky "more difficult to deal with" than Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Zelensky saying it was nice to be among "real leaders" at an EU summit.
The waiver comes after the US struck a controversial deal to import Russian diesel, which Zelensky said was tantamount to investing in Russia's war effort. Trump has also denied halting intelligence-sharing and slowing Ukraine's Starlink network, which Ukraine says has disrupted its military operations.