Brief
Zelensky says U.S. sanctions waiver fuels Putin’s war
Zelensky called the waiver ‘unfortunate’ and warned it would help Russia finance its invasion.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told NBC News on Oct. 18 that the Trump administration’s recent waiver of most new Russian sanctions is "strengthening Putin's war against us," calling the move "unfortunate."
What happened
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Oct. 16 that pauses the sanctions he had imposed earlier in the week on Russia. The waiver is set to remain in effect until the president or senior officials decide otherwise, according to the White House.
What was said
Zelensky said the pause would aid Russia’s war effort, as reported by NBC News. Republican Senator Thom Tillis described the decision as "beyond irresponsible," and the White House framed the waiver as being in the U.S. national interest.
How it came about
The waiver follows a series of U.S. actions aimed at pressuring Russia, including earlier sanctions announced in early October and a separate EU warning that lifting diesel sanctions would fund the war, as covered in Felo’s recent reports.
Key facts
- President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Oct. 16 waiving most new Russian sanctions. (nbcnews.com)
- Zelensky called the waiver "unfortunate" and said it strengthens Putin's war. (nbcnews.com)
- Republican Senator Thom Tillis called the decision "beyond irresponsible." (nbcnews.com)
Sources
- [1] nbcnews.com — originally reported as “Zelenskyy says waived Russian sanctions are 'strengthening Putin's war against us'”
