Zelenskyy says Trump is ‘rewarding Putin’ as he waives new Russia sanctions passed by Congress: news

Zelenskyy Says Trump Is ‘Rewarding Putin’ After Executive Order Waives New Congressional Russia Sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sharply condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend newly enacted congressional sanctions against the Kremlin, warning that granting Moscow financial relief directly rewards Vladimir Putin while encouraging further Russian military aggression.

Trump exercised waiver authority under an executive order to suspend the sweeping economic penalties passed by the U.S. Congress, asserting the pause serves the national interests of the United States. The decision follows a controversial bilateral “diesel deal,” where Trump moved to secure shipments of Russian diesel to ease domestic fuel pressures. In return, Washington sought an energy ceasefire and demanded that Ukraine halt retaliatory strikes on Russian oil refineries.

Zelenskyy argued that easing economic restrictions undermines international leverage and will intensify the conflict, especially as Moscow escalates missile and drone strikes against Ukraine’s civilian energy grid. Lawmakers from both parties in Congress also expressed outrage over the move, accusing the administration of capitulating to Moscow and defying bipartisan legislation designed to hold the Russian government accountable.