Zelensky warns US sanctions waiver will encourage further Russian attacks

President Donald Trump has waived key tariffs and sanctions under a new law targeting Russia, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to warn that easing pressure will encourage Vladimir Putin to keep attacking Ukraine. His warning came as crews worked to restore power after strikes on the country’s energy grid.

In an executive order dated 16 October, Trump waived the application of duties and specified sanctions and restrictions under the Lindsey O. Graham law, citing the US national interest. The order leaves earlier sanctions imposed under a separate presidential emergency authority intact: it does not lift all US sanctions on Russia. [2]

Zelensky linked the decision to the attacks in a statement posted on his official Telegram channel on Saturday. He said more than 15 important power generation and transmission sites had been attacked and described the assault as one of the biggest on Ukraine’s energy system. Between 7pm on Friday and 7am on Saturday, he said, more than 320 Shahed drones, as well as missiles and other munitions, were used against energy infrastructure, cities and communities. He argued that weaker US pressure and financial benefits for Putin would encourage further strikes. [1]

Reuters reported, citing Ukrainian officials, that Friday’s attacks cut power to more than a million people. On Saturday morning, Ukraine’s energy ministry said energy facilities had been attacked in ten regions and electricity had been restored to more than half a million customers. The figures cover different reporting periods and measure people and customers respectively. [6] [4]

A separate US Treasury licence dated 9 October permits specified transactions involving Russian-origin diesel until April 2027. It does not establish how much diesel has been sold or what payments have been made. [3]

Russia’s military chief reported a series of strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities to Putin on Friday, and Putin instructed his forces to press on with the aerial campaign, according to AP. The timing of the attacks and the US waiver does not establish that the American decision changed Russia’s plans.