Trump Defends Russia Sanctions Waiver as Rift With Ukraine Deepens
AI Summary
Donald Trump defended waiving planned Russia sanctions, saying the move would keep Moscow engaged in negotiations. Kyiv and some US lawmakers criticized the decision, arguing it sends the wrong signal to the Kremlin as tensions with Ukraine deepen.
President Donald Trump defended his decision to waive sweeping sanctions planned against Russia as an effort to keep Moscow at the negotiating table amid strong criticism from Kyiv and some US lawmakers that it sends the wrong message to the Kremlin. Trump signed an executive order late on October 16 that waives new sanctions mandated by legislation named for the late US senator Lindsey Graham, an ardent supporter of Ukraine, days after giving temporary relief on Russian diesel sanctions. Trump signed last month at the urging of lawmakers who want…