Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has condemned the Trump administration’s decision to pause implementation of comprehensive new sanctions targeting Russia, characterizing the move as beneficial to Vladimir Putin and likely to encourage further aggression. Zelenskyy expressed concern that the pause represents the first of multiple sanctions rollbacks he anticipates from the current US administration and urged European nations to pursue independent diplomatic channels with Moscow.
The suspended legislation, informally known as the Graham Act after late Senator Lindsey Graham, would have imposed severe restrictions on the Russian economy including 100% tariffs on major importers of Russian oil and sanctions on Russia’s energy sector, financial institutions and shadow fleet of oil tankers. The measure had been approved by both chambers of Congress and was scheduled for implementation within two days. Russian officials responded positively to the suspension, with presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev describing it as “an important and truly historic moment.”
Zelenskyy’s criticism came as Russia conducted what he characterized as one of its most severe strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, damaging more than 15 critical power generation and transmission facilities. The Ukrainian president linked the sanctions pause to deteriorating military support, noting that the US had withheld intelligence warnings of impending ballistic missile attacks and that restrictions had been imposed on military-grade Starlink terminals used by Ukrainian forces. Zelenskyy stated that velocity limitations on these terminals were deliberately implemented to restrict Ukrainian defensive capabilities.
The sanctions pause follows Trump’s earlier announcement of a fuel purchase agreement with Russia involving over 300,000 tonnes of diesel immediately, with additional volumes scheduled for subsequent months. Trump cited efforts to reduce global energy prices, reversing longstanding Western policy aimed at pressuring Russia to end its invasion. Zelenskyy emphasized that reducing sanctions pressure while restricting Ukraine’s defensive capabilities undermines rather than advances peace negotiations.
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