Trump Eases Russia Sanctions, Drawing Ukraine’s Anger

US President Donald Trump has eased sanctions on Russia while the war in Ukraine continues. The decision was immediately condemned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said the policy would encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to continue his attacks.

Trump signed an executive order exempting Russian energy revenues from sweeping US sanctions and tariffs. The move marks a new low in relations between Washington and Kyiv, as Trump’s support for Ukraine has fallen sharply.

“US sanctions being ‘wound down’, easing pressure on the aggressor and providing Putin with financial rewards — all of this is only encouraging him to continue his attacks,” Zelensky said, urging allies to keep up the pressure on Russia.

Trump’s policy came after he reached an agreement with Putin to ease sanctions on Russia in return for Moscow releasing a substantial volume of diesel supplies onto the global market.

Previously, the Lindsey Graham Act authorised Trump to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.

Amid Washington’s policy shift, Zelensky urged European Union leaders to continue funding Kyiv’s war effort. He requested nearly US$80 billion in additional funding for next year, stressing that Ukraine was still fighting to defend itself as Trump’s support declined sharply.

Meanwhile, the US president’s war in Iran has triggered crippling oil shortages and a sharp rise in prices. These conditions pose a major obstacle for the Republican Party ahead of next month’s midterm elections.