Trump Waives Russia Sanctions as Zelensky Clash Deepens Ukraine's Isolation

This week, the ties between Washington and Kyiv significantly weakened as US President Donald Trump lifted important sanctions and tariffs related to Russia on Friday, just before they were set to be implemented. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to social media to express that this decision would embolden Russia's aggression towards Ukraine. Trump, attributing high energy prices partly to Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, has frequently criticized Zelensky. Concerns grew over Ukraine's vulnerability as disruptions occurred in US satellite internet services, especially with another winter of Russian assaults looming. Analysts warned that Trump's actions, including the removal of sanctions, might encourage Vladimir Putin to persist in the conflict. The week also saw US threats to withdraw intelligence support and a diesel agreement that could finance Russia's military efforts. The source is SCMP.