Trump pauses Russia sanctions; Zelenskyy urges allies to push back

President Donald Trump signed an executive order pausing new U.S. sanctions against Russia, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to urge allies to advocate for their reinstatement as Russian attacks intensify ahead of winter. The paused sanctions, based on the Lindsey Graham Act, targeted Russian officials, banks, and a shadow fleet of tankers. Trump cited national interest without details, drawing criticism from lawmakers like Senator Richard Blumenthal, who accused him of appeasing Vladimir Putin. Russian strikes killed at least four people in Ukraine, including an ambulance driver, and damaged energy infrastructure across 15 sites. Ukrainian drones killed one person in Russia's Belgorod region and disrupted flights at Moscow airports, with over 350 flights affected.