Ukraine-Russia war: Trump orders last-minute stay on Russian sanctions, citing national interest

Sanctions put on hold

Trump’s executive order pauses a broad set of sanctions aimed at the Russian economy. He told Congress the decision was in the “national interest”. The bipartisan bill had been designed to quickly strike at Russia’s financial resources for its war on Ukraine. Trump had approved the legislation only last month.

Ukraine warns of air threat

Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia could increase air attacks on western Ukraine. He said Moscow might station ballistic missile systems in Belarus, raising the threat to the country’s western regions.

Starlink restrictions under discussion

Ukraine tested Starlink in European Union territory and found no similar problem, with the system running at higher speeds, according to Zelensky. He said Kyiv was discussing the issue with US officials.

Trump said on Friday he did not believe the US government or Elon Musk had deliberately restricted Ukraine’s access. The UK government said the White House had assured it that access had been restored.

Delegates leave IMF remarks

Ukraine central bank chief Andriy Pyshnyi said many finance officials left the room when Russian finance minister Anton Siluanov addressed the IMF steering committee on Saturday. The meeting took place at the IMF and World Bank annual summit in Bangkok.

Pyshnyi said he routinely leaves when Russian officials speak at international events and did so at the meeting of the International Monetary and Financial Committee. He told Reuters through an interpreter that he was impressed by how many others joined him, calling the moment deep and emotional. Bundesbank president Joachim Nagel said nearly half the delegates left during Siluanov’s remarks, which were delivered in Russian.