Ukrainian President [Volodymyr Zelensky](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volodymyr_Zelenskyy) said on Saturday that U.S. President [Donald Trump](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump)‑signed waiver of the Lindsey Graham Act “rewards” Russian leader [Vladimir Putin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Putin) and warned Moscow is trying to plunge millions of Ukrainians into darkness before winter.
Zelensky made the remarks after Trump issued an executive order that temporarily lifted broad U.S. sanctions aimed at Russia’s energy earnings. The move came on the same day Russia struck 15 major power‑generation sites across Ukraine, an attack Zelensky described as one of the largest on the country’s grid.
Key points:
- The waiver nullified provisions of the Lindsey Graham Act, a bill targeting Russia’s energy and defence sectors and the “shadow fleet” of tankers used to evade sanctions.
- Russia’s overnight raids on power plants left large swathes of the country without electricity and heating, echoing the severe shortages experienced last winter.
- Ukrainian officials reported at least two civilian deaths in separate Russian air strikes: one in Kherson, where 22 people were injured, and another in Sumy.
- Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev hailed the U.S. decision as “historic,” claiming the act would have harmed the U.S. economy and global markets.
What did Zelensky say about the sanctions waiver?
Zelensky argued that the Lindsey Graham Act was intended to exert “truly effective pressure” on Russia to end the war and that its suspension “could have helped enormously – and still can.” He warned that a U.S. sanctions blackout would only embolden Putin to continue attacks.
How extensive was the recent attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure?
According to Ukrainian officials, Russian forces targeted 15 critical power generation facilities in a coordinated strike, aiming to create a blackout before the cold season. The attacks left millions without reliable heat and electricity.
What was Russia’s reaction to the U.S. decision?
Although President Putin has not spoken directly about the waiver, senior Russian officials, including Dmitriev, praised the move as a win for Moscow, suggesting it would avoid serious damage to the U.S. economy.
Why does the timing matter?
The waiver was announced shortly after Putin appeared in military attire, reiterating Russia’s goal of capturing the remaining parts of eastern Ukraine. The United Nations and European leaders have urged continued pressure on Moscow, warning that easing sanctions could undermine Ukraine’s defence as winter approaches.
European response
European Council President Antonio Costa warned that “this is no time to withdraw support for Ukraine or to relieve Russia’s sanctions,” calling for increased aid and pressure on Moscow.
Overall, the episode underscores the fragile balance between diplomatic negotiations and the economic tools used to constrain Russia’s war effort, with Ukraine warning that any relaxation of pressure could translate into harsher conditions for its civilian population.