KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has urged international supporters to rally for fresh U.S. sanctions against Russia, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order temporarily suspending wide-ranging financial penalties.
The White House decision has heightened anxieties in Kyiv that Ukraine may face increased vulnerability to relentless Russian bombardment as winter approaches.
Taking to social media, Zelenskyy labeled Trump’s move as disappointing, though he avoided a direct confrontation with the U.S. leader amid mounting tensions between Washington and Kyiv.
“A decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end,” Zelenskyy wrote. “This Act could have helped enormously – and still can! But it needs to actually work, and every voice in support of it matters.”
In another statement, Zelenskyy thanked lawmakers from both the Democratic and Republican parties who supported the legislation, warning that blocking the measures would only empower Russia to continue its assaults and that limiting Ukraine’s defensive capabilities would not bring peace.
“Nevertheless, we very much hope — and I personally hope — that the president of the United States of America will do everything possible to make (Russian President Vladimir) Putin stop the killing, stop the attacks on our energy infrastructure, and end this war,” he added.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday from his Florida estate, Trump stated that his final stance on Russian sanctions remains under review, despite signing the Friday night executive order that waived the penalties under the guise of U.S. national interest.
”We’ll figure it out, and you’ll figure it out. But it’s a very good decision, and it’s going to be a decision that’s good for the country, and I think good for the world,” Trump remarked during a fundraising dinner before declining further questions.
Addressing diplomatic channels, Zelenskyy revealed that Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s chief negotiator, met with U.S. presidential envoy and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, on Friday. He also noted that Washington is currently working to arrange a high-stakes trilateral summit involving himself, Trump, and Putin, which could potentially take place in Europe, the Middle East, or the United States.
Meanwhile, overnight aerial assaults by Russian forces left at least four people dead—including an ambulance driver—and dozens more injured, local authorities reported.