Trump waives Russia sanctions, drawing bipartisan backlash and Ukraine criticism

President Donald Trump waived sanctions targeting Russian fossil fuel sales days before they were set to take effect, drawing bipartisan backlash from US lawmakers and condemnation from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The waiver, issued Friday, postpones tariffs of up to 100% on goods from major importers of Russian crude oil and gas, which fund Moscow's war effort. Trump cited US national interests without specifying reasons, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the move as time to analyze global economic impacts. Critics, including Republican senators and representatives, accused Trump of capitulating to Russia and prolonging the war. The decision follows tensions with Zelensky, US intelligence-sharing restrictions, and ongoing Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, with Kyiv reporting depleted Patriot missile supplies.