Zelensky says US move to waive sanctions 'rewards' Russia's Putin

Donald Trump signed an executive order blocking or waiving US sanctions aimed at reducing the money Russia earns from selling oil and gas. The decision came despite increased Russian strikes on Ukraine and shortly before the measures were due to take effect under a law Trump had signed the previous month. Trump said the waiver served US national interests.

Zelensky argued that the move helps Russia’s leader rather than discouraging aggression. He described it as a “sanctions blackout” that eases pressure on the aggressor and provides financial rewards for Putin. His reasoning is that energy sales give Moscow income, while sanctions are intended to make that income harder to obtain.

The decision could therefore affect both the battlefield and diplomacy. Zelensky said Russian forces had attacked 15 critical power facilities, while US-led talks had made no breakthrough. He urged European allies to increase support and pressure, as Putin continued speaking about capturing more Ukrainian territory.

Economic sanctions are government restrictions designed to pressure a country, its leaders, companies, or industries. They can limit trade, block financial transactions, freeze assets, or restrict access to services. Their purpose is to impose economic costs without directly using military force. The article describes sanctions aimed at reducing the money Russia receives from oil and gas sales.

Energy sanctions can work through several connected channels. Governments may restrict imports, penalize companies that help sell or transport oil, limit payments, or target tankers. These measures can make exports harder, slower, or less profitable. If fewer buyers can legally purchase energy, or if transactions become risky, the exporting country may collect less income.

The article says the Lindsey Graham Act targeted Russia’s energy and defence sectors, Putin, and the “shadow fleet.” Trump’s waiver removed or delayed that pressure. Russia could then retain more energy revenue, while the United States judged the waiver to be in its national interests. The economic effect depends on enforcement and market access.

Zelensky said Russian forces had attacked 15 critical power-generation facilities across Ukraine. These facilities are important because they produce electricity that homes, businesses, communications systems, and other essential services depend on. Damage to them can create shortages and increase pressure on civilians and the wider national infrastructure.

He cited the attacks while criticizing Trump’s decision to waive sanctions on Russia. Zelensky argued that easing financial pressure on Moscow could encourage Putin to continue military operations. In his view, the attacks and the sanctions decision were connected through Russia’s ability to fund continued aggression.

The article gives no further detail about the scale of damage or the dates of each attack. It does say Ukraine was struggling to shoot down Russian missiles and scrambling to improve its defences. Russia controlled large areas of eastern and southern Ukraine, while Putin vowed to pursue further territorial gains.

If sanctions on Russia’s energy exports weaken, Moscow may be able to sell more oil and gas, complete transactions more easily, and retain more revenue. Energy income matters because it gives a government financial resources during a prolonged conflict. More available money can support state spending, imports, defence production, and military operations, although the article does not quantify the effect.

The article provides a direct example. Trump waived sanctions intended to reduce Russia’s oil and gas income, even as Russian strikes increased. Zelensky called the waiver a financial reward for Putin and said it eased pressure on the aggressor. The mechanism is straightforward: fewer restrictions can mean more accessible export earnings, while stronger restrictions aim to reduce them.

The likely consequence is political as well as financial. Zelensky warned that the move could encourage Russia to keep attacking. Putin said the liberation of Donetsk remained a main objective, and Russia controlled large areas of eastern and southern Ukraine. The article does not establish how much additional funding Russia would receive.

A “shadow fleet” is a group of tankers used to transport oil while helping an exporter avoid restrictions imposed by other governments. Such vessels may operate through complicated ownership, registration, insurance, or shipping arrangements. The article gives the term but does not detail the fleet’s exact structure or size. The definition here reflects the established meaning of the phrase.

The key mechanism is concealment and continued transport. If tankers can carry Russian oil outside normal Western controls, Moscow may keep reaching buyers and receiving export income. That can weaken the financial effect of sanctions. Governments therefore try to identify, restrict, or penalize vessels linked to sanction evasion.

The article says the Lindsey Graham Act targeted Russia’s energy and defence sectors, Putin, and the shadow fleet of tankers used by Moscow to circumvent Western sanctions. Trump waived the sanctions before they took effect. That could reduce pressure on Russia’s energy trade, although the article does not say how many tankers were involved.

The United States, European countries, Russia, and Ukraine are affected differently because they have different goals. Trump said waiving the sanctions was in the US national interest. European leaders focused on maintaining support for Ukraine. Russia benefits when its oil and gas can be sold more freely. Ukraine bears the direct military and infrastructure costs of Russia’s attacks.

Energy markets link these positions. Restrictions can reduce Russia’s export income, but they may also affect buyers, sellers, shipping, prices, and global markets. Russian official Kirill Dmitriev claimed the Graham Act would have seriously damaged the US economy and global markets. European leaders, meanwhile, urged increased pressure and continued financing for Ukraine.

The decision therefore produces unequal consequences rather than one shared result. Russia may gain financial breathing room, while Ukraine fears more military pressure. The United States must balance sanctions with its stated national interests, and Europe must decide how much support to provide. The article says talks have not produced a breakthrough, so these tensions remain unresolved.

In a prolonged war, energy exports can provide a state with revenue, while sanctions attempt to reduce that revenue. Financial pressure matters because war requires sustained spending on defence, equipment, personnel, and infrastructure. Military power then converts those resources into attacks, defence, and territorial control. The article presents these links through Russia’s energy income, sanctions, and operations in Ukraine.

The mechanism appears in Zelensky’s warning. Trump waived sanctions intended to reduce Russia’s oil and gas income. Zelensky said that easing pressure and financially rewarding Putin would encourage continued attacks. Russia’s control of large areas of eastern and southern Ukraine, along with its strikes on power facilities, shows how military pressure affects the opposing state.

This interaction can continue in a cycle. Energy revenue may help sustain operations; military pressure may damage Ukraine’s infrastructure; Ukraine then needs more defences and foreign financing. European Council chief Antonio Costa called for increased support and pressure. Yet negotiations had not produced a breakthrough, and Putin continued to describe territorial conquest as a goal.