Trump waives several Russia sanctions as row with Zelensky intensifies

Trump was initially criticised by Zelensky and Ukraine’s European allies for temporarily suspending some US sanctions to import Russian diesel in a bid to bring down US energy prices, which have skyrocketed during the Iran war.

Trump has spent months grappling with the political consequences of the Middle East conflict, which has sent fuel costs soaring ahead of the US midterm elections. Rising inflation has soured Trump’s standing with the American public.

Zelensky suggested the deal was tantamount to the US investing in Russia’s war effort.

A few days later, Trump claimed that both Russia and Ukraine had agreed to an “energy ceasefire” to facilitate the export of Russian diesel.

Both nations have been intensively striking one another’s energy infrastructure. Kyiv says this is to limit revenue for Russia’s war machine, while Moscow claims it only targets facilities used by the Ukrainian military.

Zelensky initially expressed surprise at Trump’s announcement, and said Kyiv would stop the strikes if Russia did the same. After three days which saw several fresh attacks from Russia, Kyiv resumed its strikes on Russian oil refineries.

This prompted scathing condemnation from Trump, who called the strikes a “disgrace”. Zelensky replied that he was “only standing up for Ukraine’s interests”.

Concerns that Trump is siding with Russia have been heightened by disruption to a US-provided satellite system used by Ukraine.

Last week Starlink suddenly and unexpectedly restricted the speed at which drones could fly while still maintaining internet connection. This disrupted some battlefield missions, Ukraine said, and hampered Kyiv’s ability to protect itself from incoming Russian attacks.

During the slowdown, Russia launched several deadly strikes on Ukraine, with residents and the government saying these came with no prior warning.

Zelensky said on Friday that Starlink speeds had still not been fully restored.

Trump has denied halting intelligence-sharing and deliberately slowing down Ukraine’s Starlink network.

Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that at least nine people have been killed and around 60 injured in Russian strikes across the country over the past 24 hours.

They said an ambulance driver was killed and 20 others were injured in Russian strikes on the city of Kherson on Saturday morning.

Russia’s defence ministry said it had targeted industries linked to Ukraine’s defence industry – including steel works, an electrical sub-station and a cargo vessel in the Black Sea.

Additional reporting by Helen Sullivan