In brief
Former President Donald Trump announced that the US will temporarily suspend several sanctions on Russia to keep Moscow at the bargaining table during the conflict with Ukraine. Speaking on his Truth Social channel, Trump said the move was meant to avoid driving Russia away from peace negotiations. The decision follows a sharpening dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over military aid and a recent US deal to import Russian diesel. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev sharply criticized the pause, warning it would damage global markets and the US economy.
By Jack Burgess – 13 minutes ago
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has said his decision to suspend several Russian sanctions is an effort to keep Moscow at the negotiating table.
“I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine,” Trump told his Truth Social messaging platform, adding that he didn't want to “do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table.”
Trump blocked a number of sanctions scheduled to take effect two days ago, just as tensions between Kyiv and Moscow over military support and delivery of Russian diesel deepened.
Zelensky warned the U.S. on Sunday that siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be a “historic mistake,” but the Ukrainian leader has repeatedly insisted that the war must end. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev described the move as “an important and truly historic moment,” claiming the sanctions would inflict “serious damage” on the U.S. and global markets.
Trump also criticized Zelensky as, in his words, “he doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did,” suggesting the Ukrainian president could have secured a better deal two years earlier.
The record has strained Washington’s relationship with Kyiv, raising concerns that the administration is withdrawing key military support for Ukraine while simultaneously taking steps that could undermine international consensus on sanctions against Russia.
As the world watches, Trump’s move may signal a shift in U.S. strategy toward a diplomatic resolution, though critics warn that relaxing sanctions could embolden Russia and compromise global security.
