Ukraine war briefing: Trump’s sanctions waiver is a ‘60-day pause’ to analyse economic impact, says Rubio

What Happened

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said President Donald Trump's waiver of sweeping sanctions and tariffs on Russia is a 60-day pause to 'analyse' their impact on the global and US economies, and denied any White House order to slow Ukraine's access to Starshield—the military version of Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet—for drones flying faster than 100mph. The waiver, made days before the measures were to take effect, drew criticism from Republican members of Congress: Senator Rick Scott said Russia is clearly the aggressor and the US must put economic pressure on Russia, while Senator Thom Tillis called the move 'beyond irresponsible' and a capitulation to a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he expects the Trump administration to lift more sanctions against Russia, called the 'diesel deal' a first step, and urged Europe to establish its own negotiations with Moscow. Zelenskyy said Ukraine's lead negotiator Rustem Umerov met Friday with US presidential envoy Jared Kushner, and that the US was working to arrange a three-way meeting involving him, Trump and Putin, potentially in the Middle East, Europe or the US. Separately, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Russian air defence units intercepted and destroyed nearly 200 Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow on Saturday, reporting 195 destroyed since midnight; Russia's Rosaviatsia said Domodedovo and Vnukovo airports suspended flights. Romania said it shot down two Russian drones over the Black Sea, amid recent drone attacks on ships off Romania and Bulgaria.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The 60-day sanctions pause signals a potential shift in US policy toward Russia, reducing economic pressure at a time when Ukraine is seeking stronger Western support, and could undermine congressional and allied unity. The reported Ukrainian drone attack on Moscow demonstrates continued long-range strike capability even as negotiations are discussed, while Romania's shootdown of Russian drones over the Black Sea underscores the risk of spillover into NATO territory and maritime security in the western Black Sea.

Watch For

Watch for whether the Trump administration lifts further Russia sanctions after the 60-day analysis period, and whether the proposed three-way Trump-Zelenskyy-Putin meeting is scheduled in the Middle East, Europe or the US. Monitor European moves to establish separate negotiations with Moscow, Russian air defence claims and airport closures around Moscow, and NATO responses to further drone incidents in the Black Sea off Romania and Bulgaria.