US says Russia sanctions would hinder Ukraine peace efforts

The White House stated that imposing sanctions on Russia would hinder US efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. White House representative Taylor Rogers made the comment regarding President Donald Trump's decision to waive sanctions mandated by a September law. Rogers said applying the sanctions provisions now would impede current US efforts to reach a durable and comprehensive peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. The White House noted Trump wants to end the military conflict while reserving the right to use sanctions at any time. Trump's waiver was published in an executive order regarding sanctions tied to the late Senator Lindsey Graham's law. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously commented on the US decision not to use sanctions against Russia.