Trump waives Russian sanctions as US-Ukraine ties deteriorate

President Trump waived a raft of new sanctions on Russia late Friday, citing America's "national interests," marking the latest deterioration in US-Ukraine relations. The move follows his earlier decision to lift sanctions on Russian diesel to lower fuel prices before midterm elections. Trump has suggested Volodymyr Zelensky be replaced, called him harder to deal with than Putin, and refused to blame Russia for starting the war. The row sparked concerns over intelligence sharing and temporarily restricted Ukraine's Starlink access, hindering its ability to intercept Russian drone and missile attacks. Meanwhile, UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting announced Britain will join Germany and France in a military exercise in Poland next month, simulating troop and supply movements to prepare Nato forces for post-war security guarantees. Russia continues striking Ukraine's energy grid, with Kyiv warning Moscow is stockpiling missiles for winter attacks.