Trump Says Russia Sanctions Waiver Protects Peace Talks

President Donald Trump said October 18 that he had delayed new sanctions on Russia to avoid disrupting peace negotiations over Ukraine, while accusing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of prolonging the war and harming diesel markets. Trump’s claims about negotiating progress and the economic effects of Ukrainian strikes were not independently substantiated in the reporting. Trump’s comments followed an executive order he signed late October 16 waiving new sanctions mandated by legislation. The order did not specify how long the waiver would last. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump had chosen a 60-day review, according to reports. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was negotiating peace and did not want to drive Russia away from the bargaining table. He asserted that progress was being made, including in hostage negotiations, and said the sanctions document could be signed later. He also said Russia was doing little to help Iran and that he wanted to preserve that situation. Trump accused Zelensky of targeting Russian diesel refineries and claimed the attacks were hurting global markets, including in the United States, and affecting farmers, ranchers and...