Trump waives key Russia sanctions before enforcement begins

President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Friday suspending key sanctions and tariffs linked to Russia before they could take effect. Trump stated to Congress that the decision to pause the measures, which were part of a law he signed in September, serves the national interest of the United States, though he provided no further details.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the decision as unfortunate, noting on social media that it disregards the Lindsey Graham Act, which was intended to apply effective pressure on Russia to end the war. According to New Voice of Ukraine, Zelenskyy expressed that the move could encourage Russia to continue its assaults, noting that Russia is seeking to leave millions of Ukrainians without electricity and heating ahead of winter. He urged supporters to speak out and called for increased pressure on the aggressor.

ABC News (US) reported that the White House decision has raised fears that Ukraine could be left exposed to Moscow's escalating assaults as winter approaches. Russian authorities stated that Ukrainian drones disrupted flights at Moscow's airports and killed a woman in a Russian border region. Separately, officials reported that overnight Russian attacks killed at least four people, including an ambulance driver, and wounded dozens.

Brief written by urgent.news from Daily Times, ABC News (US), NPR, New Voice of Ukraine, People Daily Kenya — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.