Zelensky says Trump pause of Russian sanctions rewards Putin
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Saturday, Oct. 17, that President Donald Trump’s executive order pausing the Lindsey Graham sanctions on Russia “rewards” Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
The pause comes after Trump signed an order waiving sanctions targeting Russian energy revenues, a decision he framed as being in the United States’ national interest. Zelensky said the move was “unfortunate” and risked encouraging further Russian aggression.
Zelensky emphasized that the sanctions were meant to create a “blackout” on Moscow’s ability to fund its war machine. He warned that lifting them now – “the diesel deal is just the first step” – would diminish the pressure needed to compel Putin to end the conflict.
At the same time, Russian forces launched a massive strike on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, targeting 15 power‑generation facilities. The attacks killed at least two civilians – one in Kherson and another in Sumy – and left thousands without electricity as winter approaches.
In a post on X, Zelensky described the “unrelenting pace” of the attacks, noting more than 320 drones, missiles and loitering munitions were used against the energy sector, cities and communities. He called on allies to press Moscow to stop the assaults and to revive the full force of the Lindsey Graham Act.
“America unfortunately made a decision to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end,” Zelensky wrote. “This Act could have helped enormously – and still can! But it needs to actually work, and every voice in support of it matters.”
The Ukrainian leader also said he still hopes Trump will use “everything in his power” to push Putin toward a ceasefire, but stressed that easing sanctions would not achieve that goal.
U.S. officials have not detailed a timeline for reinstating the paused measures, leaving Ukraine and its allies uncertain about the next steps in the sanctions strategy.
