Trump defends Russia sanctions relief, accuses Zelensky of rejecting peace

US President Donald Trump defends decision to waive Russia sanctions, accuses Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of rejecting peace efforts.

The full report

US President Donald Trump has said his decision to suspend several Russian sanctions is an effort to keep Moscow at the negotiating table, according to BBC News — World. Trump blocked numerous sanctions on Russia two days before they were due to take effect, as a row with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky deepened. Zelensky told NBC News on Sunday that siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin would be a "historic mistake".

Trump also claimed in his Truth Social post that Zelensky "doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did", adding "he could have made a better deal two years ago than he can now", BBC News — World reported. Zelensky has pushed for an end to fighting, and has repeatedly said that Putin doesn't want peace, since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Relations between Washington and Kyiv frayed after the US struck a controversial deal to import Russian diesel last week.

Ukraine has accused the Trump administration of withdrawing key military support, France 24 English reported. Since then, Zelensky declared it was nice to be among "real leaders" while addressing a European Union summit, after Trump said Zelensky was "more difficult to deal with" than Putin. Ukraine's President Zelensky attended an EU leaders' summit in Brussels on Friday. Trump waives several Russia sanctions as row with Zelensky intensifies, France 24 English reported.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of prolonging the war with Russia, claiming Kyiv had little interest in peace, France 24 English reported. Trump said negotiations to end the four-year conflict were making “great progress” but alleged Zelensky was reluctant to reach a deal because of European financial support.