Zelensky says Trump waiving sanctions ‘rewards’ Putin, warns Moscow wants ‘blackout’ in Ukraine

President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving sweeping U.S. sanctions against Russia. The measures targeted energy revenues, defence activities, Putin, and the tanker network known as the “shadow fleet.” Zelensky says the decision matters because sanctions were intended to make Russia pay a higher economic price for continuing the war.

The key mechanism is pressure on Russia’s income and military resources. Sanctions can restrict trade, finance, and energy sales. If those restrictions are eased, Russia may find it easier to earn money and obtain resources. Zelensky called the move a “sanctions blackout” and said it offered financial rewards to Putin. He linked the decision to Russia’s attack on 15 critical power facilities.

The decision deepened concern in Kyiv and Europe about U.S. policy. Russia’s Kirill Dmitriev called the suspension “historic,” while European Council chief Antonio Costa urged stronger support and pressure. Zelensky warned that easing sanctions could encourage Moscow to continue attacking before winter, when energy shortages are especially dangerous.

Economic sanctions are government-imposed restrictions designed to change another country’s behavior without direct military action. They can limit trade, block financial transactions, freeze assets, or restrict sales of important goods. In this article, the sanctions focused on Russia’s energy revenues, defence sector, leadership, and tanker network.

To waive or suspend sanctions means to stop applying them, either temporarily or under specified conditions. That can allow previously restricted companies, banks, ships, or officials to conduct activities again. The pressure mechanism therefore weakens. Russia may have more opportunities to sell energy, move cargo, access money, or support state operations. The article says Trump used an executive order to waive sweeping sanctions.

The practical effect depends on how broad the waiver is and how long it lasts. Here, Zelensky argued that the move could reduce Russia’s incentive to stop fighting. Russia’s Kirill Dmitriev welcomed it as “historic,” while European leaders said sanctions pressure should increase. The waiver therefore became part of the wider dispute over how to end the war.

The Lindsey Graham Act was designed to target several parts of Russia’s war-supporting system. The article identifies Russia’s energy and defence sectors, Putin, and the “shadow fleet” of tankers used to bypass Western sanctions. Its purpose was to impose stronger economic consequences on Moscow and help bring the war to an end.

Its pressure would work through multiple channels. Restrictions on energy could reduce or complicate Russia’s earnings. Measures against defence activities could limit access to support for military operations. Targeting Putin and the tanker network could increase pressure on decision-makers and make it harder to move energy outside Western restrictions. Together, these measures were intended to raise the costs of continuing the invasion.

Zelensky said the act “could have helped enormously” and still could. Trump’s waiver prevented the sweeping measures from taking effect as planned, according to the article. Russia’s Kirill Dmitriev said the act would have damaged the U.S. economy and global markets, while Ukraine and European leaders argued that stronger pressure was needed.

The article describes the assault as one of the largest attacks on Ukraine’s energy grid. Russia struck 15 critical power-generation facilities across Ukraine. The attack came on the same day Trump waived the sanctions, making the timing especially significant for Zelensky’s warning about Moscow’s aims.

The immediate risk is loss of electricity and heating. Power-generation facilities supply energy needed for homes, services, and heating systems. If enough facilities are damaged, outages can spread across different areas. Zelensky said Russia was trying to leave “millions” of Ukrainians without electricity and heating before winter. The article also recalls that hundreds of thousands consistently lacked heat and electricity during the previous winter.

Ukraine is already struggling to shoot down Russian missiles and is rushing to strengthen defences. The next impact depends on further strikes and the ability to repair or protect infrastructure. Officials separately reported deaths and injuries from later attacks in Kherson and Sumy, showing that the wider campaign continued.

Energy revenues can provide a government with money for state operations, including military activity. Sanctions aimed at those revenues are meant to reduce or complicate that income. The Lindsey Graham Act also targeted Russia’s defence sector and the “shadow fleet” of tankers used to circumvent Western sanctions. These targets connected financial pressure with military and shipping networks.

The mechanism is straightforward. Restrictions can make energy sales harder, reduce the number of buyers or payment routes, and increase the cost and risk of transporting oil. Sanctions on defence-related activity can also restrict access to goods or services. If Russia receives less usable income, financing a prolonged war becomes more difficult. The article says the act was intended to create effective pressure and help end the conflict.

Trump’s waiver eased that pressure. Zelensky said it offered financial rewards to Putin and encouraged continued attacks. Russia welcomed the move, while Ukraine and European leaders urged greater pressure. The article gives no precise estimate of lost or preserved Russian military funding, so the financial effect cannot be quantified from this text.

Ukraine’s electricity and heating systems face extra danger during winter because people depend on them in freezing temperatures. The article says Russia has repeatedly targeted energy infrastructure and that Ukraine is struggling to intercept Russian missiles. Last winter, hundreds of thousands consistently lacked heat and electricity. This makes damage to power facilities a direct civilian threat.

A nationwide blackout would interrupt electricity across the country and could also stop heating systems from working. Homes, public services, and other essential activities would be affected at the same time. Zelensky warned that Russia was trying to leave millions without electricity and heating. The article connects that objective to the 15 critical power-generation facilities struck in one of the largest attacks on the energy grid.

Ukraine is scrambling to strengthen its defences ahead of winter. The immediate reality remains dangerous because Russia controls large areas and continues missile attacks. Further strikes could expand outages, while successful protection and repairs could reduce their reach. Zelensky called on allies to maintain pressure on Moscow to stop the attacks.

Sanctions allow countries to influence a war by restricting economic relationships. Governments can limit trade, financial transactions, energy sales, shipping, or access to defence-related goods. The goal is to affect the choices of a state or its leaders without directly using military force. In this case, the Lindsey Graham Act was presented as a way to pressure Russia to end the war.

The mechanism works by targeting resources connected to national power. Restrictions on Russia’s energy revenues could reduce income. Measures against the defence sector could make military support harder. Sanctions on Putin and the “shadow fleet” could increase pressure on decision-makers and shipping networks. Waiving sanctions reverses or pauses that pressure, which is why Zelensky said Trump’s decision rewarded Putin and encouraged attacks.

Sanctions are not automatically decisive. Their effect depends on enforcement, alternative markets, and how long restrictions last. The article shows a disagreement over strategy: Russia welcomed the waiver, while Ukraine and European leaders wanted more pressure. U.S.-led talks had not produced a breakthrough, so sanctions remained part of the effort to change Moscow’s conduct.