Trump Says Russia Sanctions Delay Meant to Preserve Peace Talks, Blames Zelenskiy for Prolonging War

President Donald Trump said delaying additional sanctions on Russia was intended to keep Ukraine peace talks alive, while blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for prolonging the war.

Bloomberg reported on October 18 that Trump, in a post on his social-media platform Truth Social, said peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are underway and that he wants to avoid steps that could cause Russian President Vladimir Putin to abandon the talks. He added that "significant progress" has been made in the negotiations.

Trump also criticized Zelenskiy, saying the Ukrainian leader is relying on military support from European allies to continue the war. "Zelenskiy doesn't want to end the war, and probably never did from the beginning," Trump wrote, adding that Ukraine could have negotiated under more favorable terms two years ago.

Earlier, Trump reached an agreement with Russia to expand diesel exports and, on October 16, exempted some new tariffs and sanctions on Russia. The measures were intended to help lower rising fuel prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November. The Trump administration has said Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy facilities are contributing to higher diesel prices.

Zelenskiy, by contrast, said in a Bloomberg interview that same day that the U.S. is effectively pressuring Ukraine to surrender. He also criticized Washington for restricting the operation of the Starlink and Starshield systems, though the White House denied allegations that it was involved in a temporary service disruption. Zelenskiy also contacted U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in an effort to restart peace talks.

In Washington, criticism of Trump's Russia policy continues. At least 10 Republican senators and some House members have voiced opposition to the diesel export agreement with Russia and the sanctions exemptions. With the November 3 midterm elections approaching, the debate over energy prices and the U.S. response to the war in Ukraine is broadening.