U.S. Administration Moves to Soften Pressure on Russia While Leaning on Ukraine
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The White House has begun rolling back parts of a sanctions law aimed at Russia, discussed energy arrangements with Moscow, and signaled pressure on Ukraine as the war grinds on.
The White House announced a decision to suspend enforcement of portions of the Graham Bill, a law enacted to increase economic pressure on Russia. The move follows a proposal allowing Russian diesel exports to the United States and comes as the administration seeks to lower fuel prices ahead of upcoming elections, putting electoral convenience ahead of principled accountability.
President Donald Trump said in a televised interview that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is "not a good guy for us to deal with" and expressed skepticism about Kyiv's role in the war. The administration has also reportedly warned Ukraine that U.S. intelligence support could be reduced if Kyiv continues targeting Russian oil refineries, a threat that shifts pressure away from Moscow and onto the country under attack.
In parallel, officials said the White House consulted with technology entrepreneur Elon Musk about limiting access to the military version of the Starlink satellite internet service, which Ukrainian forces rely on for communications, raising further concerns about Washington’s willingness to constrain Ukraine’s defenses.
Ukrainian officials, including President Zelensky, criticized the U.S. actions, stating that easing sanctions "helps only the Russians" and undermines efforts to end the conflict. The Graham Bill had previously passed the Senate with bipartisan support.
The administration's recent actions reflect a shift toward engaging Moscow on energy issues while maintaining a stance that the United States will not directly intervene militarily in the ongoing war, a posture that critics see as cynical accommodation rather than genuine diplomacy.