Zelensky condemns Trump's late-night decision to waive Russia sanctions and tariffs
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized President Trump for waiving sanctions and tariffs against Russia days before they were set to take effect under a new law.
What happened
President Trump made a late-night decision to waive sanctions and tariffs against Russia that were scheduled to take effect under a new law. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly decried this action, stating that the waiver disregarded the timing and circumstances of Russian military operations. Zelensky's statement suggests he viewed the waiver as counterproductive, particularly given recent Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy sector.
Context
The waiver occurs amid an active Russian military campaign against Ukrainian infrastructure, specifically targeting the energy sector. Ukraine has faced significant attacks on critical infrastructure, and sanctions have been a key Western policy tool in response to Russian aggression. The decision to waive U.S. sanctions at this juncture has implications for the pressure maintained on Russia and the signal it sends regarding Western support for Ukraine's position.