Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump orders last-minute stay on Russian sanctions and refuses to blame Putin for war

US president Donald Trump has signed an executive order that puts on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause was in the "national interest".Trump personally approved the legislation just last month, and his move to block it came just two days before a deadline set in the law itself for its implementation. Named after late South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, it had sought to clamp down more quickly on the flow of financial resources fuelling the war against Ukraine.Trump's unexpected decision comes a week after he stunningly said the US had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia to try to bring down global energy prices, despite that potentially hurting Ukraine in its war with Russia.The US president also refused to say Russia's president Vladimir Putin was responsible for starting the war. When asked by reporters whether he had forgotten that it was Putin who invaded Russia's European neighbour, he suggested it was not that straightforward.He said: “I know the details, OK, and at some point I’ll release the details. But I don’t care about anything except for one. I want that war ended.” At least 1,500 troops to participate in war exercises in PolandAt least 1,500 troops from Britain, France and Germany will take part in the war exercise next month, according to The Times, alongside Polish forces.The wargames will simulate moving troops and supplies such as food and fuel, and was agreed at a coalition of the willing summit in July. Namita Singh17 October 2026 08:00British troops to take part in major Ukraine-facing wargame next monthBritish troops are set to take part in a major wargame in Poland.Defence secretary Wes Streeting announced that UK forces will take part in a “major exercise” while making his first visit to the US in the role.Defence Secretary Wes Streeting stressed the UK’s role in bringing harmony between the US and Ukraine (PA Wire)Britain’s troops will join those from France and Germany in a drill which is aimed at ensuring Nato forces are ready to provide Ukraine with security guarantees once the war is over. Namita Singh17 October 2026 07:00Don Beyer calls on Congress to ensure full support for UkraineDemocratic Virginia representative Don Beyer noted on social media shortly after the announcement of the sanctions being suspended that he and others had “warned" Trump might make such a move. The veteran congressman, who spoke out against the bill as it was debated, called on Congress to “fix this flawed law to stop Donald Trump from capitulating to Vladimir Putin and ensure that it truly supports Ukraine”.Northern Virginia Representative Don Beyer condemned the president for his 'idiotic' justification for his 'triumphal arch' planned for Arlington National Cemetery (Getty)The White House did not immediately explain how pausing the sanctions was in the national interest. The decision was posted on the White House website late in the evening, and the notification noted that the report explaining the decision had been submitted to Congress. Namita Singh17 October 2026 06:00Sanctions were seen as part of Graham's legacyLindsey Graham, a close ally and friend of the president, had just returned from Ukraine when he unexpectedly died in July. He had advocated for stricter US sanctions against Russia as a way of pressuring it to end its war in Ukraine.His colleagues in Congress responded with bipartisan support after his death and president Donald Trump attached his signature to the legislation — then changed his mind on Friday.The package had been meant to starve Russian president Vladimir Putin of the resources Moscow needs to continue its war in Ukraine after invading its neighbour more than four years ago. The bill, also drafted by senator Richard Blumenthal, had sought to sanction Russian officials, banks and a shadow fleet of tankers that keeps Russian energy moving.It also directed Trump to impose up to 100 per cent tariffs on the top five importers of Russian oil or natural gas, with an exception for countries that import less than 15 per cent of Russia’s natural gas exports and have taken significant steps to reduce those imports. Namita Singh17 October 2026 05:00Trump puts new Russia sanctions that he recently signed into law on hold, citing national interestPresident Donald Trump on Friday signed an executive order that puts on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause was in the national interest.Trump personally signed the legislation just last month and his move came just two days before a deadline set in the law itself for its implementation. Named after late South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham, it had sought to clamp down more quickly on the flow of financial resources fueling the war against Ukraine.US president Donald Trump walks to the podium during a MAGA Inc event at his Mar-A-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida on 16 October 2026 (AFP/Getty)Trump's unexpected decision comes a week after he stunningly said the US had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia to try to bring down global energy prices, despite that potentially hurting Ukraine in its war with Russia.An AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll published on 1 October found that Americans disapprove of the president's handling of the Iran war and blame him for higher prices. Trump's approval ratings have sunk to near-historic lows and pressure is mounting as Republicans try to hold control of both chambers of Congress after midterm elections on 3 November Namita Singh17 October 2026 04:00Trump says Zelensky ‘not a good guy’ as Ukraine resumes strikes on Russian oil refineriesTrump says Zelensky ‘not a good guy’ as Ukraine resumes strikes on Russian oil refineriesHarriette Boucher17 October 2026 03:00Macron hits out at Trump for sending 'negative signal' over diesel dealEmmanuel Macron has said that a diesel deal struck by Donald Trump with Russia was not useful and created doubts and defiance. Following an EU ​summit ‌in ​Brussels on Friday, the French president said: “This decision is not good for ‌anyone. It sends a ​negative signal. It a an element ⁠of division and ​doubt.” Several EU leaders have hit out at the US president’s decision to relax sanctions on Russian diesel, as they also grapple with how to tackle energy prices that have soared since the Iran war. Volodymyr Zelensky told a press conference on the sidelines of the summit: “And now we can see how cash will start flowing back into Russia through the diesel deal.“This diesel deal will never be enough to offset the impact of the Strait of Hormuz on global markets. But it will put more money straight into Putin’s pocket to fund this war.”Harriette Boucher17 October 2026 02:00Starlink dispute spotlights Ukraine’s reliance on US in intensifying battle for the skies against PutinIf Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy needed a reminder that Ukraine’s war with Russia may well be decided in the skies by the nation with the most advanced weaponry, then it was delivered this week – seemingly by the United States.On the night of Oct. 13-14, 2026, the guidance system Ukraine’s military uses to blunt Russia’s aerial attacks suddenly stopped working normally. The system, called Starshield, is funded by the U.S. government and run by Elon Musk’s low Earth orbit telecommunications company Starlink, part of SpaceX. Ukraine uses the system to counter strikes and to target Russian military forces and logistics in occupied Ukrainian territory. But new speed restrictions, imposed without notice remotely by code, contributed to multiple mission failures.Zelenskyy described the move as a “big mistake.” Others, including Musk, pointed the finger at the U.S. government. Amid the blame game, the restrictions were just as suddenly removed: By Oct. 15, Starlink services had apparently been restored to full capacity.Read more: Harriette Boucher17 October 2026 01:00Watch: Moment British-made sea drones strike Russian Olympic sea port in Ukraine's Black Sea blockadeMoment British-made sea drones strike Russian Olympic sea port in Ukraine's Black Sea blockadeHarriette Boucher17 October 2026 00:00Moldova condemns Russia after five drones crash on its territoryMoldova condemned Russia on Friday ​after five drones identified by its authorities as Russian crashed in the country in less than 24 hours.Moldova's pro-European government, which ⁠hopes to join the European Union by 2030, has denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine and repeatedly criticised the incursions into its airspace. Moldova shares a border ⁠with Ukraine.One drone last ​week ⁠crashed about 35 km (21 miles) from the capital Chisinau.The five drones entered Moldovan airspace ⁠over a little more than 17 hours on ​Thursday ⁠and Friday. All ‌of them crashed, mainly in the northern and eastern districts, lightly injuring one person and causing minor ‌damage."These incidents pose a threat ‌to citizens' safety and show the direct consequences for regional stability of Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine," the foreign ⁠ministry said in a statement.The incidents have repeatedly prompted the ministry to summon Russian ambassador Oleg Ozerov to demand explanations.President Maia Sandu regularly criticises Russian foreign policy as running counter to Moldova's interests and has declined to allow Ozerov to ‌present his credentials although he has been stationed ​in Moldova for more than two ‌years.Russia accuses Sandu ⁠of pursuing policies hostile to Russia.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry ⁠Peskov said on Thursday that any improvement of ties with ‌Moldova was ​possible only if Sandu's government "abandoned ‌its policies based on ​Russophobia."Bryony Gooch16 October 2026 23:39