"Sanctions blackout": Zelenskyy says Graham Act has been completely ignored

What Happened

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a statement on X as reported by European Pravda, said the US decision to waive sanctions against Russia under the Graham Act amounts to a "sanctions blackout." He said the legislation could still be used to pressure Russia, but that it was "completely disregarded" in the US. Zelenskyy linked his criticism to what he said was one of Russia's largest attacks on Ukraine's energy sector the previous day, in which more than 15 key electricity generation and transmission facilities were attacked across various parts of Ukraine. He accused Russia of trying to plunge Ukraine into a blackout just before winter and leave millions without electricity or heating. The attack figures are attributed to Zelenskyy and have not been independently verified in the article. US President Donald Trump signed an order on 16 October waiving the application of sanctions against Russia under the Graham Act; the White House said the decision was in the US national interest. US Senator Richard Blumenthal, who helped draft the act, criticised Trump for refusing to take further steps under the legislation. Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev described Trump's decision not to impose restrictions on Russia under the Graham Act as a historic moment.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The waiver removes a US sanctions lever just as Ukraine faces intensified Russian strikes on its power grid ahead of winter. Zelenskyy argues the Graham Act could still exert effective pressure on Russia to end the war, and its non-enforcement risks signalling reduced Western resolve. The episode exposes a rift between the Zelenskyy administration and the Trump administration over sanctions policy, while Russian officials present the waiver as a diplomatic win. If the waiver holds, it may weaken Ukraine's ability to deter further attacks on civilian energy infrastructure.

Watch For

Monitor whether the US administration maintains the Graham Act waiver or responds to Ukrainian and congressional pressure to reverse it. Watch for any congressional action by Senator Richard Blumenthal or others to enforce the act. Track further Russian strikes on Ukrainian electricity generation and transmission facilities as winter approaches, and whether Ukraine secures additional air defence or energy repair support. Also note any formal Ukrainian diplomatic démarches to Washington seeking reinstatement of sanctions.