Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sharply criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent decision to suspend sanctions on Russia, describing the move as a “reward” for Russian President Vladimir Putin that could encourage further aggression by the Kremlin. Zelenskyy warned that easing sanctions would intensify Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

Last Friday, the Trump administration waived a broad package of economic sanctions targeting Russia’s financial institutions, energy sector, and oil exports. The legislation in question, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, had authorized tough new sanctions, including a 100% tariff on major importers of Russian oil such as China and India. Trump defended his decision on Truth Social, stating that he sought to maintain a pathway for peace negotiations by preventing actions that might push Russia away from the bargaining table.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the measure as a 60-day pause to evaluate the sanctions’ broader impact on the global economy, emphasizing that the restrictions involved multiple countries beyond Russia itself. The move was welcomed by Russia’s presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who called the suspension of the sanctions “an important and truly historic moment.”

Zelenskyy expressed concern that Ukraine was not notified in advance of a recent Russian missile attack on Kyiv’s power plants, marking one of several occasions when U.S. intelligence reportedly withheld warnings before Russian barrages. Historically, the U.S. had provided Ukraine with alerts that allowed civilians to seek shelter. Kyiv’s officials have raised apprehension that selective intelligence sharing might be aimed at pressuring Ukraine into concessions during the conflict.

There have also been reports of delays in weapons deliveries under the Purl scheme, whereby Europe purchases U.S. arms for Ukraine, with unconfirmed suggestions that the Trump administration linked such slowdowns to Kyiv’s attacks on Russian oil facilities. Trump has repeatedly called for Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries, asserting that the conflict—and not other global factors such as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—has driven up diesel prices worldwide. Ukraine briefly paused these attacks following Trump’s declaration of an “energy ceasefire,” but resumed them amid mounting Russian assaults on its own energy infrastructure.

The sanctions suspension announcement came shortly after Trump revealed plans for the United States to purchase Russian diesel fuel in an effort to lower global energy costs, a move that contrasts with longstanding Western efforts to pressure Russia economically.

In response to intensified Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy targets, Zelenskyy acknowledged the severe impact on the country’s infrastructure and emphasized the challenges posed by dwindling anti-air weapon stocks. Although Ukrainian forces continue to intercept many incoming missiles, he stressed that the “sheer scale and unrelenting pace” of attacks have resulted in significant damage.

Zelenskyy concluded that easing sanctions and reducing pressure on Russia would only embolden the Kremlin to continue its attacks, urging the international community not to concede ground in the ongoing conflict.