Zelenskyy warns easing pressure on Russia encourages more attacks after Trump rolls back sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned on Oct. 17 that easing pressure on Russia by rolling back sanctions would lead to more attacks, according to a Telegram post. The Ukrainian leader urged the United States not to back down from applying pressure on Russia, criticizing the decision not to enforce the Graham sanctions law.

Zelenskyy stressed that Russia was attempting to leave millions of Ukrainians without electricity and heating ahead of winter, emphasizing the need for pressure to stop these attacks. The president noted that Russia had conducted a large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy system the previous day, targeting over 15 major power generation and transmission facilities in various regions.

Zelenskyy also highlighted that Russia was expanding its campaign against Ukraine's energy infrastructure to strain resources and complicate repairs. On Oct. 16, U.S. President Donald Trump suspended sanctions against major oil and gas buyers in Russia under legislation sponsored by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. Trump defended the decision, citing U.S. national interests.

The legislation, signed into law on Sept. 18, aimed to impose expanded sanctions on Russian officials, banks, and vessels involved in bypassing energy trade restrictions, as well as a ban on new U.S. investments in Russia and purchases of Russian sovereign debt. Zelenskyy expressed concern that the easing of sanctions would only provide financial incentives for Putin to continue attacking Ukraine.