US President Donald Trump has defended his decision to suspend several sanctions on Russia, saying the move is aimed at preserving negotiations and keeping Moscow engaged in efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump said he was actively involved in pursuing a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine and did not want to take any action that could push Russia away from the negotiating table.
He argued that maintaining diplomatic engagement was essential to advancing discussions on a potential resolution to the conflict.
The decision came on Friday night when Trump blocked a number of sanctions that were scheduled to take effect just two days later. The move has intensified tensions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has openly criticised any approach perceived as accommodating the Kremlin.
Speaking to NBC News on Sunday, Zelensky warned that siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be a “historic mistake,” highlighting growing concerns in Kyiv over Washington’s latest policy direction and its implications for Ukraine’s ongoing defence efforts.
Russia welcomed the suspension of the sanctions. Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev described Trump’s decision as “an important and truly historic moment,” arguing that the measures, which had been approved by the US Congress and signed into law by the US President in September, would have caused serious damage to both the American economy and global markets.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained that the sanctions had not been permanently removed but placed on hold for 60 days. According to Rubio, the temporary pause will allow officials to assess the potential economic consequences of the restrictions on both the United States and the wider global economy before any final decision is made.
The development marks a significant shift in Washington’s approach to Russia, with the Trump administration signalling that diplomatic leverage and economic considerations will play a central role in its efforts to broker a peace settlement between Moscow and Kyiv.
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