With winter approaching, zelenskyy urges support for US sanctions as trump puts Russia package on hold

Sanctions paused before deadline

Trump signed an executive order pausing restrictions aimed at Russia’s economy. He told Congress the pause was in the national interest but offered no further details. The legislation, named for late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, sought to sanction Russian officials, banks and tanker operators moving Russian energy. Trump had signed the bill the previous month, and the pause came two days before its implementation deadline.

Zelenskyy calls for pressure

Zelenskyy called the decision unfortunate in a social media statement, while stopping short of directly criticizing Trump. He said the move disregarded legislation intended to pressure Russia to end the war.

In audio responses to journalists, Zelenskyy thanked lawmakers from both parties who supported the bill. He warned that blocking it would encourage Russia to keep killing, and said limiting Ukraine’s ability to retaliate would not bring peace. Zelenskyy said he hoped Trump would act to make Russian President Vladimir Putin stop the killing and attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and end the war.

Attacks hit both countries

Russian attacks overnight killed at least four people in Ukraine, including an ambulance driver, and wounded dozens, officials said. Zelenskyy said Moscow struck more than 15 energy sites across the country.

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched four cruise missiles and 332 attack drones. It reported that all four missiles and 289 drones had been suppressed or destroyed.

Political criticism grows

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a co-drafter of the sanctions bill, said Trump was turning away from most Americans, Congress and European allies. Blumenthal also disputed the administration’s national-security rationale for the waivers.

Trump’s pause followed his statement a week earlier that the U.S. had agreed to buy diesel from Russia. He said Russia would supply more than 300,000 tons immediately, another 500,000 tons in November, and 1 million tons afterward.

Democrats and Republicans criticized that decision, saying it could aid Russia’s war effort without lowering global fuel prices. The article says prices were elevated mostly because of Trump’s war on Iran.