Zelenskyy says Trump's Russia sanctions waiver rewards Putin as Moscow hits Ukraine's energy grid
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused US President Donald Trump of rewarding Russian President Vladimir Putin by waiving new sanctions on Russia's energy revenues, warning this could encourage further attacks on Ukraine. The criticism came as Russia intensified strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of winter. Zelenskyy said Moscow attacked 15 critical power-generation facilities in one of the largest assaults on Ukraine's energy grid, warning Russia aims to leave millions without electricity and heating. Trump signed an executive order Friday pausing the sanctions package, including the Lindsey Graham Act targeting Russia's energy and defense sectors, after striking a deal with Putin to ease restrictions in exchange for diesel releases. Ukraine's air force reported downing all four cruise missiles and 289 of 332 attack drones overnight, with at least two people killed in strikes on Saturday. Russian officials hailed Trump's move as historic, while US-led talks to end the war have not led to a breakthrough.