Symbolic imageTrump waives Russia sanctions, Kyiv warns of reward for Moscow
Trump suspended tariffs and sanctions on Russia under the Graham Act days before they took effect. Zelensky calls it a reward for Putin.
In an order released by the White House on Friday, 16 October, Trump waived sanctions, restrictions and tariffs on Russia that the Graham Act, signed in mid-September, would have imposed within days. He certified to Congress that this serves US national interests. Republican senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn and Representative Don Bacon criticised the move, as did Democrats. Zelensky wrote on Saturday that it "definitely helps only the Russians".
Starlink limits hit interceptor drones
Zelensky said on Saturday that Ukraine's interceptor drones are idle because of Starlink speed limits. Kyiv was told the cause was technical, but tests in the EU showed no such limits there; the Financial Times quotes him calling it a "planned operation". Trump said on Friday that neither he nor Elon Musk was responsible.
Three-way meeting still open
Zelensky said a meeting of Ukraine, the US and Russia could take place at the G20 summit in Miami in December, but Washington and Moscow have not confirmed it. He named Europe, the UAE and Saudi Arabia as other options. Ukrainian and US negotiators spoke on Friday and may meet next week.
Other opinions
Moscow called the waiver an "important and truly historic moment", Handelsblatt reports, while Kyiv and Republican lawmakers condemned it.