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, named after the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, targeted Russian officials, banks, and a shadow tanker fleet. Trump told Congress the pause was in the national interest without details. Sen. Richard Blumenthal called the move "sucking up to Vladimir Putin," while critics across parties said it aids Russia's war effort. Russian strikes overnight 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 canceled or delayed.