Ukraine signaled openness to U.S.-led peace talks on Saturday, a day after President Donald Trump waived Russia sanctions days before they were set to take effect.
In a long post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv is ready to negotiate "anywhere" and in "any format." "The American negotiating track will continue," he wrote. "We're counting on them to put more pressure on Putin, not on us."
He said Washington is working on a trilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which could take place during the G20 summit in Miami in December, though neither Washington nor Moscow has confirmed it.
Sanctions Waiver Raises Questions for Energy Traders
On Friday, Trump signed an executive order waiving sanctions under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. The order cited "the national interests of the United States" but gave no reason.
The law authorized 100% tariffs on the five largest importers of Russian crude and natural gas if they kept making new purchases.
It follows Trump's decision last week to ease sanctions on Russian diesel. The administration faces affordability pressure less than three weeks before the midterm elections.
Energy Infrastructure Attacks Add to Supply Strain
Both Russia and Ukraine continue to strike each other's energy infrastructure, adding strain to global supplies already tightened by the Iran war. Earlier on Saturday, Zelenskyy warned that U.S. sanctions relief could aid what he described as a Russian effort to "cause a blackout in Ukraine."
Brent crude closed at $109.86 per barrel Friday, the highest since May 20.
Opposition to Trump's new order has crossed party lines. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) called the move "beyond irresponsible," noting the Senate passed the law 86-11. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also criticized it.
