Russia: Kremlin celebrates Donald Trump's suspension of US sanctions as a "historic moment"

Moscow celebrates the suspension of new US punitive measures as an “important and truly historic moment.” The move promotes dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation, Kremlin representative responsible for international economic cooperation Kirill Dmitriyev said on Telegram. Almost a month after signing a sanctions package against Russia, US President Donald Trump stopped the tariffs included in it shortly before they came into force. Meanwhile, Russia continues to attack Ukraine.

Trump justified his actions by saying that this was “in the national interest” of the USA at this time. Just a few days ago he also agreed on the delivery of Russian diesel with the Kremlin - regardless of existing sanctions against Russia. Trump is under pressure in the face of the midterm elections. Energy prices in the USA have risen as a result of the Iran war. However, Trump is making Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky the scapegoat.

Dmitriyev, who is negotiating the future of Ukraine as a Kremlin negotiator with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, also said: The sanctions "could effectively bring economic relations between Russia and the USA to a complete standstill and, above all, cause serious damage to the American economy and world markets." In contrast to sanctions and confrontation, economic cooperation between Russia and the USA contributes to the stability of the global economy, said Dmitriyev. This is the basis for strengthening trust and achieving lasting peace, he claimed.

Attacks with deaths and injuries continue

In fact, Russia continued its attacks overnight despite Trump's announcement. According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the army carried out large-scale attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure targets. This includes the country's largest steelworks in Kryvyi Rih, which belongs to the ArcelorMittal group, according to the ministry. The facility has suspended operations since September following a series of Russian missile attacks. In addition, a substation in Zhytomyr, another steelworks in Zaporizhia and a cargo ship in the Black Sea were hit. The latter loaded military supplies for the port of Odessa.

According to Ukrainian information, one person also died in Kherson following Russian attacks. The region's governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, said on Telegram that it was the driver of an ambulance. Another 19 people were injured, including a child. The Russian state news agency Tass, citing rescue workers, reported that a woman had died in the Belgorod region. The information cannot be independently verified.