Trump Defends 60-Day Pause in Russia Sanctions
President Donald Trump defended delaying Russia sanctions for 60 days, saying the pause could preserve peace negotiations and fuel supplies. He also said Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries were disrupting diesel markets.
President Donald Trump defended delaying sanctions on Russia, saying keeping Vladimir Putin engaged in peace negotiations and preserving fuel supplies mattered more than applying immediate pressure on Moscow. In a lengthy Truth Social post over the weekend, Trump said sanctions imposed now could drive Russia away from talks aimed at ending its war with Ukraine. He also said Moscow had done relatively little to help Iran and that he wanted to keep it that way. Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of targeting Russian oil refineries, arguing the attacks could disrupt global fuel markets and diesel supplies for American farmers, ranchers and businesses.
He also said Russia continued to export millions of barrels of diesel to global markets at low prices. “Zelenskyy doesn’t care,” Trump wrote, accusing the Ukrainian leader of resisting a settlement despite receiving substantial financial assistance from the U.S. and Europe. The president added, “I WANT THIS WAR END!” Source: Truth Social.
Trump delayed the Russia sanctions Friday, two days before they were due to take effect. He signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 in mid-September. The measure introduced sanctions intended to pressure Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move was a 60-day pause to assess the sanctions’ possible effects on the U.S. and global economies. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev welcomed the decision as an “important and truly historic moment,” saying the sanctions could have caused significant economic damage. At 9:33 p.m.
EDT, WTI crude was down 0.57% at $99.42 per barrel. Brent crude was down 1.62% at $108.08 per barrel as of 2:37 a.m. BST. The American Automobile Association (AAA) put the national average for regular gasoline at $4.2988 per gallon and premium gasoline at $5.2049.
Diesel averaged $6.3224 per gallon, while E85 averaged $3.3168 per gallon. Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged stronger sanctions against Russia. Russia’s energy revenues, Zelenskyy has argued, help fund the invasion launched in February 2022. After Trump’s latest decision, the Ukrainian president told NBC News that siding with Putin would be a “historic mistake.” He also voiced concern that Washington might ease further restrictions.
Zelenskyy has separately warned that restrictions could affect Space Exploration Technologies Corp.’s (NASDAQ: SPCX) Starlink, a satellite internet network used by Ukrainian forces and for U.S. intelligence sharing. Trump has denied intentionally slowing Starlink or stopping intelligence cooperation.