Trump explains easing sanctions on Russia: I don't want to drive them away from the bargaining table

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump posted an explanation for his decision to ease sanctions on Russia on his social media platform, Truth Social. The president stated that the easing of sanctions was part of ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and he did not wish to "drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table." Trump noted that significant progress was being made, including current hostage negotiations.

The president also pointed out that Russia was not providing significant assistance to Iran, unlike its potential capabilities, and he wanted to maintain this status quo. Trump claimed that Russia was not interested in ending the war in Ukraine, and he suggested that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was unwilling to make a better deal. He accused Zelenskyy of being out of touch with the impact on the diesel market and having a poor track record with the war.

Trump expressed frustration with the Ukrainian leader's handling of the situation, stating that Zelenskyy's country was in disarray, with large portions of its territory lost, its oceans and seas depleted, and a dwindling male population. The president emphasized that he wanted the war to end and questioned how Zelenskyy could have negotiated a better deal two years ago.