Trump says easing sanctions aimed at keeping Russia at peace talks
He says suspending part of the sanctions is meant to keep Russia at the negotiating table during peace efforts.
U.S. President Donald Trump said his decision to suspend part of the sanctions on Russia was intended to keep Moscow at the negotiating table for a possible peace deal.
“I am in the process of negotiating peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine. I do not want to do anything rash that would push Russia off the negotiating table,” Trump said.
Block on sanctions announced days before they would take effect
On Friday evening, two days before they were due to take effect, Trump blocked numerous sanctions aimed at Russia. The step came as tensions deepened between Washington and Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that taking Vladimir Putin’s side would be a historic mistake and could lead Ukraine to defeat, a position that underscored the widening rift over the policy move.
Trump framed the measure as a tactical effort tied to his negotiations, saying he prefers to avoid actions that might remove Russia from the talks rather than escalate the conflict further.
Photo: AP)
