Trump Waives Russia Sanctions as Rift With Ukraine Deepens Over Talks

President Donald Trump's decision to waive key sanctions on Russia has widened a dispute with Ukraine over Washington's approach to ending the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy raised concerns about the decision with a bipartisan group of American lawmakers on October 19, according to Politico, which reported congressional pushback.

The sanctions decision sits alongside other moves easing pressure on Moscow. The Independent reported that Trump had dropped planned sanctions and said he would import Russian fuel. Euronews reported that Washington was also pressing Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil infrastructure.

On October 19, reports emerged of a Russian proposal for talks involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China. DIE ZEIT reported that the meeting could take place in November and that Ukraine was not invited. Euronews reported that Putin was seeking the summit while refusing talks with Zelenskyy.

Ukraine rejected the premise. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said such a meeting would encourage Putin to continue the war, according to CNN Brasil. Separately, Infobae reported Zelensky's accusation that Trump was pressuring Ukraine to surrender to Russia.

Trump said on October 19 that he was open to meeting Putin and Xi, but had not yet agreed to a summit, The Hill reported. The agenda was less clear than the proposal suggested: Axios reported that Trump wanted discussions about denuclearization, not necessarily Ukraine.

Trump also intensified his criticism of Ukraine's leadership. "I think it's time for somebody else to negotiate on behalf of Ukraine," he said, according to the New York Post. The Independent reported his claim that Zelensky had never wanted to end the war.

By October 20, the dispute also centered on weapons deliveries. World News CNA reported Zelenskyy's allegation that the Pentagon was delaying missiles already paid for by European countries. That followed his account of Russian attacks involving 16 ballistic missiles aimed at the Kyiv region and more than 200 drones across Ukraine, reported by The Hindu on October 19.

The proposed summit is not a confirmed peace negotiation. Trump has expressed willingness to attend, but The Hill reported that he had not agreed to it. Coverage also differs on its intended focus: DIE ZEIT described a proposed Ukraine summit, while Axios emphasized Trump's interest in denuclearization rather than necessarily discussing Ukraine.

For Kyiv, the immediate dispute concerns both representation and military support. Zelenskyy has raised interceptor delays with American lawmakers, according to Politico. His claims about delayed deliveries remain allegations in the supplied coverage, not an established explanation from Washington.

The next concrete test is whether the three leaders agree to meet in China in November, and what agenda they accept. Ukraine's absence from the proposed gathering remains a central objection, while Trump's stated nuclear focus leaves the scope of any war talks uncertain, according to DIE ZEIT and Axios.

Also pending is whether the missiles Ukraine says have already been purchased are delivered. Politico reported that Zelenskyy took his concerns directly to lawmakers, linking the dispute over sanctions to Ukraine's immediate air defense needs.