Nicolai Haugsted
Trump’s latest remarks reveal why he is reluctant to increase economic pressure on Putin.
President Donald Trump’s latest attempt to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine has raised fresh questions about how far Washington is prepared to go to secure an agreement with Moscow.
The American president has defended his decision to suspend new sanctions against Russia, arguing that additional economic pressure could jeopardize ongoing peace negotiations.
But according to The Daily Beast, the move has drawn criticism from Ukraine and some American political figures, who believe Vladimir Putin should face tougher restrictions rather than additional concessions.
Now, Trump has offered a particularly revealing explanation for his decision, making clear that keeping Russia involved in negotiations is a central part of his strategy.
The president’s comments have also intensified a dispute over Russian diesel exports, rising American fuel prices and the future of US support for Ukraine.
Trump explains why he is holding back on Russia
The controversy began after Trump signed an executive order on Friday suspending sanctions and tariffs that were scheduled to take effect just two days later.
The measures formed part of legislation named after the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent supporter of Ukraine who had advocated stronger economic pressure on Moscow.
Graham died in July, and Congress subsequently named the legislation in his honor after passing it last month.
Trump’s decision effectively postponed the new restrictions despite their congressional backing.
On Sunday, the president addressed the controversy in a lengthy Truth Social post.
He described his decision as “a very simple one.”
“I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don’t want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table,” Trump wrote.
The president also suggested that negotiations were moving in a positive direction.
“Great progress is being made, and that includes current hostage negotiations! Signing that document at this time will do that, and I can sign it later, or any time that I want!”
His remarks offered a direct explanation for the sanctions suspension: Washington wants to avoid measures that might prompt Moscow to abandon negotiations.
Whether the approach will produce meaningful concessions from Russia remains uncertain.
Russian diesel becomes part of the equation
Trump’s sanctions decision follows another controversial development in relations between Washington and Moscow.
Earlier this month, his administration agreed to allow Russian diesel exports to the United States as part of an effort to ease pressure on domestic fuel prices.
The arrangement comes as the American economy continues to experience the consequences of the war with Iran.
According to figures cited in the original report, average gasoline prices were approaching $4.30 per gallon nationally.
With the November midterm elections approaching, high fuel costs have become an important political concern for the administration.
Trump defended the diesel arrangement by arguing that Russian supplies could help businesses and agricultural producers struggling with energy expenses.
“Farmers, ranchers, and businesses of all kinds are suffering greatly from this, but Russia is, nevertheless, sending, at a low price, millions of barrels of diesel to the World,” he wrote.
The president also criticized Ukrainian attacks against Russian diesel refineries.
He accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of using those facilities “as a target, knowing that these attacks are seriously hurting the world diesel markets, including those in the United States.”
Ukraine has targeted Russian energy infrastructure as part of its efforts to weaken Moscow’s ability to sustain its military campaign.
Trump’s comments highlighted the tension between Ukraine’s military objectives and Washington’s concerns about global energy prices.
Trump makes another claim about Russia and Iran
The president also linked his approach to Moscow with the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Trump claimed that Russia had refrained from providing Tehran with the level of assistance it could potentially offer.
According to the president, Russia is not helping Iran “compared to what they could be doing, and I want to keep it that way, and will, unless stupid people get in the way.”
His remarks suggested that the administration considers Russia’s conduct toward Iran another factor in its diplomatic calculations.
However, the president did not provide evidence in the quoted statement establishing the extent of Russian assistance to Iran or whether the sanctions decision had influenced Moscow’s behavior.
Trump also directed criticism toward Zelensky, claiming that the Ukrainian president “doesn’t want to end this war, and probably never did.”
Zelensky has repeatedly called for an end to the conflict while insisting that any settlement must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Trump concluded his social media message with an unusually worded declaration.
“I WANT THIS WAR END!”
The statement appeared to omit the word “to,” although the president’s intended message was clear.
Zelensky warns of a historic mistake
Ukraine’s president has expressed deep concern about Washington’s latest decisions.
Speaking during an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press on Sunday, Zelensky warned that American support for Russia would have severe consequences for his country.
“It’s all about losses… it’s about our people,” he said.
“If United States will support Putin, it’s unbelievable… it’s historic mistake and big tragedy.”
Zelensky also acknowledged the enormous importance of American assistance to Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression.
“If the United States will take the side of Russia, of course we will not prevail,” he said.
His comments reflected the difficult position facing Kyiv as it attempts to maintain relations with Washington while opposing policies that could provide Moscow with additional economic opportunities.
The Ukrainian president’s warning does not establish that the United States has formally sided with Russia.
However, it demonstrates how seriously Ukraine views the potential consequences of further sanctions relief.
Energy secretary rejects accusations of appeasement
The Trump administration has pushed back against suggestions that its diesel agreement represents a concession to Putin.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the arrangement during an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union.
According to Wright, the agreement is designed to encourage Russia to reduce its military operations rather than reward the Kremlin.
“Russia does not have diesel to export,” Wright told host Dana Bash.
“The only way they can get additional diesel to export is if they turn down the conflict with Ukraine. They have to either get an energy ceasefire, they have to either end the war or they have to reduce their war efforts so they have additional diesel to export. This is not a going soft on Russia, this is an incentive to end the war.”
Wright also argued that Trump was pursuing a “different way” to achieve peace.
His explanation presents the administration’s approach as an attempt to create economic incentives for Russia to reduce hostilities.
Critics, however, question whether allowing additional Russian exports could provide Moscow with financial benefits without securing meaningful changes in its military conduct.
Lindsey Graham’s sister voices disagreement
The sanctions suspension has also prompted criticism from within Republican circles.
Darline Graham, the late senator’s sister, expressed reservations about Trump’s approach during a campaign event in South Carolina.
Trump has supported her political ambitions, but she made clear that she favored maintaining pressure on Moscow.
“Personally, I would choose to put the pressure on Russia to end the war and get gas prices down,” she said.
“Because I don’t trust Putin, and I don’t trust Russia.”
Her comments underscored the disagreement between Republicans who favor a more confrontational approach toward Moscow and those supporting Trump’s negotiating strategy.
The dispute is particularly notable because the suspended sanctions legislation carries the name of her late brother, who had been a strong advocate of supporting Ukraine.
