Trump says suspension of Russia sanctions is to keep peace negotiations going
US President Donald Trump has said his decision to suspend several Russian sanctions is an effort to keep Moscow at the negotiating table.
President Donald Trump has announced his decision to suspend several Russian sanctions, stating it is to maintain peace negotiations in the war between Russia and Ukraine. In a message on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed his desire not to "foolishly drive Russia away from the bargaining table." He blocked the sanctions on Friday, two days before they were set to take effect, amid a growing rift with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky criticized Trump's decision, calling it a "historic mistake" and warning that supporting Russian President Vladimir Putin was a grave error. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed Trump's order, calling it a "historic moment" that would inflict "serious damage" on the US and global markets. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the suspension as a 60-day pause to assess its impact on the US and global economies.
Trump also accused Zelensky of not wanting peace and having better negotiating opportunities in the past, a claim Zelensky vehemently denied. Despite the sanctions, Russia has continued to export oil, primarily to China and India. Zelensky attended an EU summit following Trump's announcement, expressing satisfaction at being among "real leaders."
Ukraine's President called Trump's plan to import Russian diesel to lower US energy prices an investment in Russia's war effort, sparking criticism from Ukraine and its allies. The deal has also raised concerns about disruptions to Starlink, a US-provided satellite system used by Ukraine for defense purposes.
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