Trump Defends Russia Sanctions Waiver, Pressures Zelensky to End War

U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday defended his decision to waive certain sanctions against Russia, while again accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of lacking interest in ending the war.

“My decision on Russia is very simple,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I am negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine, and I will not do anything foolish that risks driving Russia away from the bargaining table.”

The comments followed an executive order signed late Friday that waives broad new sanctions mandated by legislation named for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a strong supporter of Ukraine’s defense.

Trump has also temporarily lifted sanctions on Russian diesel, permitting large volumes to enter global markets as part of an effort to reduce fuel prices ahead of U.S. elections next month.

The diesel waiver shocked Kyiv and its allies, fueling a renewed feud between Trump and Zelensky and sending their already volatile relationship into another steep decline.

“Great progress is being made” in war negotiations, “including current hostage talks!” Trump said.

“Signing that document now will achieve that, and I can sign it later, or whenever I choose,” he added, though he did not specify which document he meant.

When asked for clarification, the White House did not immediately respond to AFP.

“Perhaps more importantly,” Trump continued, “Russia is doing very little, if anything, to assist the Islamic Republic of Iran compared to what it could do, and I intend to keep it that way—unless foolish people interfere.”

He repeated his claim that Ukraine is deliberately targeting Russian refineries to harm the Republican Party in the November 3 election.

Polls indicate Trump’s party faces a likely defeat, with many voters angered by fuel costs that have risen since the war began.

“Zelensky is using Russian diesel refineries as targets, knowing these attacks severely damage global diesel markets, including in the United States,” Trump said.

“Zelensky doesn’t care. Frankly, given all the money Europe is famously providing him—and what Crooked Joe Biden gave him in the past—he does not want to end this war, and probably never did,” he added.

Source link