Zelenskyy on Trump's decision: Diesel Deal is first step, lifting of Russia sanctions will continue

What Happened

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking to press online as reported by European Pravda, criticised US President Donald Trump's decision not to impose new sanctions on Russia under the Graham Act. Zelenskyy said he believes 'the lifting of sanctions will continue' and called the 'Diesel Deal' 'the first step.' He argued that reduced pressure on Russia would not help end the war and would instead signal to Vladimir Putin that his actions have support, saying Putin 'feels pleased and happy to have this kind of support.' Zelenskyy added that neither restrictions on Ukraine's ability to retaliate against Russian attacks nor the lifting of sanctions would stop Putin. Zelenskyy said the Ukrainian negotiating team had been in contact with the US side on Friday and that a meeting is being arranged. He said he is willing to meet and expected the US side might come to Brussels but they were unable to; he thinks they will find an opportunity this week. On 16 October, Trump signed an executive order suspending certain sanctions, restrictions and tariffs on Russia provided for under the Graham Act, with the White House saying the decision is in the US national interest. Earlier on Saturday, Zelenskyy said the Graham Act could still be used to put pressure on Russia despite Trump's decision not to impose new restrictions under it for now.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The episode exposes a potential split between Washington and Kyiv over sanctions leverage on Russia. Zelenskyy's comments frame the suspension of Graham Act sanctions as the first step in a broader lifting of sanctions, which he argues emboldens Putin and weakens pressure to stop strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian killings. If the US continues to ease sanctions without conditions, it could undermine Ukraine's negotiating position and alter the trajectory of Western economic pressure on Moscow.

Watch For

Monitor whether a US-Ukrainian meeting is confirmed this week, as Zelenskyy indicated, and whether Washington uses the Graham Act to impose new sanctions or issues further executive orders suspending restrictions. Also watch for any Russian response to the sanctions suspension, changes in US policy on Ukrainian retaliation restrictions, and statements from European allies about maintaining or diverging from US sanctions policy.