Trump Suspends Russia Sanctions Amid Ukraine Tensions

US President Donald Trump has suspended several sanctions targeting Russia, just two days before they were due to take effect, amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv.

The sanctions were passed by the US Congress and signed into law by Trump in September. In an executive order issued on Friday, Trump said suspending some of the measures was in the national interest, prompting criticism from US lawmakers and Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised the decision, saying Washington was disregarding the sanctions adopted against Russia.

Relations between the United States and Ukraine have deteriorated following a controversial US deal involving imports of Russian diesel.

Kyiv has also accused the Trump administration of withdrawing key military support.

Tensions have further increased following public exchanges between Trump and Zelensky.

Trump recently described Zelensky as more difficult to deal with than Russian President Vladimir Putin, while Zelensky later made remarks highlighting the importance of working with what he called real leaders during an address at a European Union summit.

The sanctions legislation was designed to increase economic pressure on Moscow.

It authorised the US president to impose tariffs of up to 100 per cent on imports from major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, including China and India.

The legislation also provided for sanctions targeting senior Russian officials, including Putin, financial institutions and vessels associated with Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, which is used to circumvent existing restrictions on Russian oil exports.