Zelenskyy drops pretense, openly slams Trump over Russia sanctions reversal

President Trump has suspended sanctions against Russia that were set to take effect Sunday, using a loophole in a law named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The move halts 500 percent tariffs on Russian exports and potential secondary sanctions. The suspension, announced Friday evening, was framed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio as a 60-day pause. It follows a recent US agreement to purchase diesel from Russia, and Moscow has called the decisions "important and historic," while several Republicans have expressed shock. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has now openly criticized Trump, calling Putin "evil" and questioning the friendship. Trump has responded by saying Zelenskyy is "not a fan," raising concerns he may cut remaining US support, including intelligence and Starlink access.