Trump defends partial Russia sanctions waiver amid Ukraine criticism
President Donald Trump defended a partial waiver of Russian sanctions on October 19, saying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was reluctant to end the war, while Kyiv warned that the shift could jeopardize its defence, DW. com reported. The waiver stemmed from an executive order signed on October 16 that suspended new sanctions on Russian oil, gas and diesel buyers under the Graham Act. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the move was intended to pressure Moscow to end its invasion, Business Insider quoted.
The White House also temporarily lifted restrictions on Russian diesel imports, citing potential consumer price relief, Fox News noted, as several senators and House members called for reversal. The order drew bipartisan criticism, with Republican and Democratic officials warning it could aid Vladimir Putin, Fox Business reported. Earlier, Trump had justified the pause as serving the national interest amid rising tensions with Ukraine, The Guardian said, and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the decision as undermining pressure on Moscow, NBC News reported. Ukraine had warned that the diesel deal could open the door to broader energy contracts and further sanctions relief, Newsweek noted.