BBC News reports President Donald Trump issued an executive order Friday night waiving several Russia sanctions just two days before they were to take effect, calling the suspensions in the US “national interest.” The measures were passed by Congress and signed into law by Trump in September, according to the BBC’s account.
What was in the law—and what was waived
The BBC says the new sanctions law authorized tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the top five purchasers of Russian oil and gas—most notably China and India—and targeted senior Russian figures, including Vladimir Putin, Russian financial institutions, and Moscow’s so‑called “shadow fleet” of vessels used to evade embargoes. The BBC reports that “many of these provisions have now been waived by Trump.”
Kyiv’s criticism, Moscow’s praise
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it “unfortunate” that the US decided to “completely disregard” the sanctions, per the BBC. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev called the waiver “an important and truly historic moment,” posting on X that the sanctions would have caused “serious damage” primarily to the US and global market and arguing that economic cooperation benefits both nations, the BBC reports.
Democrats including Rep. Don Beyer (Virginia) criticized the move. On X, Beyer wrote that “Trump’s latest surrender to Putin again betrays our Ukrainian partners and defies clear congressional intent,” according to the BBC.
Diesel deal stokes the rift
The BBC reports relations between Washington and Kyiv frayed after the US struck a controversial deal to import Russian diesel last week. The White House temporarily suspended some US sanctions to make the deal possible, a step taken “in a bid to bring down US energy prices,” which the BBC says have “skyrocketed during the Iran war.” Zelensky suggested the deal amounted to the US investing in Russia’s war effort, per the BBC.
According to the BBC, Trump later claimed both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an “energy ceasefire” to facilitate the diesel exports. Zelensky expressed surprise and said Kyiv would stop its strikes if Russia did the same, the outlet adds. After several new Russian attacks over three days, Ukraine resumed strikes on Russian oil refineries. Trump called those strikes a “disgrace,” while Zelensky said he was “only standing up for Ukraine’s interests,” per the BBC.
Starlink slowdown dispute
The BBC reports Ukrainian officials said a sudden Starlink restriction reduced drone speeds, disrupting some missions during recent Russian strikes. Zelensky said US officials told Kyiv the limits were technical issues, but he added Ukraine tested Starlink on EU territory and found “these problems do not exist.” The BBC says Trump denied halting intelligence-sharing or deliberately slowing Starlink.
On-the-ground toll and next steps
Ukrainian authorities confirmed at least nine people were killed and about 60 injured in Russian strikes over the past 24 hours, including one ambulance driver killed and 20 injured in Kherson, the BBC reports. Russia’s defense ministry said it targeted industries linked to Ukraine’s defense sector—naming steel works, an electrical sub-station, and a Black Sea cargo vessel—according to the BBC.
Zelensky said the now‑suspended sanctions “could have helped enormously” and were intended to apply “truly effective pressure” on Russia. He also said negotiators spoke with US counterparts Friday and both sides could meet next week, and he believes more US sanctions on Russia may be lifted, per the BBC.
