Zelensky warns lifting sanctions on Russia amounts to 'financial rewards' for Putin while he attacks Ukraine's power grid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned Saturday on X that lifting U.S. sanctions on Russia amounts to "financial rewards" for Vladimir Putin, at a time when Moscow was launching one of its largest attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

Decision in the midst of a Russian attack

Trump signed an executive order on Friday suspending the sanctions and tariffs provided for in the Lindsey Graham Act, legislation he had signed into law just one month earlier, on Sept. 18, which authorized tariffs of up to 100% against major buyers of Russian oil and gas.

The decision came on the same day that Russia attacked 15 critical power generation and transmission facilities in various regions of Ukraine, in one of the largest attacks on the country's energy grid.

"It is important that everyone in America also sees what is really happening," Zelensky wrote on social media.

Zelensky: Sanctions blackout "only encourages" Putin

"A decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end," Zelensky stated, adding that the legislation "could have—and still can!— have helped a great deal."

"A U.S. sanctions blackout, easing pressure on the aggressor, financial rewards for Putin – all of this only encourages him to keep attacking," the Ukrainian leader warned.

Zelensky denounced Russia's attempt to cause a "blackout" in Ukraine before winter: "Russia is trying to leave millions of our people without electricity and heating."

Last winter left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians without heating or electricity for extended periods amid sub-zero temperatures.

Russia hails decision as "historic"

The Kremlin and Putin have not yet officially reacted to Trump's decision, but several Russian officials hailed the move as a victory.

"The Trump administration's suspension of the Graham Act is an important and truly historic moment," wrote Putin's envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, on social media.

Dmitriev stated that the law would have caused "serious damage primarily on the U.S. economy and global markets."

Trump's suspension comes after he reached an agreement with Putin to ease existing sanctions on Russia in exchange for Moscow releasing large quantities of diesel onto global markets.