KYIV/WASHINGTON — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called on international supporters to defend a fresh package of U.S. sanctions against Russia, following a decision by President Donald Trump to place the measures on hold.
The restrictions, which target key sectors of the Russian economy, were originally passed by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by Trump in September. However, the U.S. president issued an executive order pausing implementation just days before they were scheduled to take effect, telling lawmakers that the suspension served the national interest.
Zelenskyy criticized the move as unfortunate and warned that rolling back the economic penalties would embolden Moscow, serve as a reward for Russian leadership, and likely intensify the ongoing assault against Ukraine. The friction over sanctions coincides with broader tensions between Washington and Kyiv, which have intensified following a controversial U.S. arrangement involving Russian diesel imports and recent disputes over military and technological support.
As the diplomatic row deepens, the pause on U.S. sanctions has also drawn pushback from domestic lawmakers, while Ukraine continues to face heavy aerial bombardment targeting its critical energy infrastructure ahead of the winter season.