Trump SUSPENDS Russia Sanctions Under Graham Act - Zelensky Asks for an Extra €70bn

Summary

The presenter discusses President Donald Trump’s executive order suspending tariffs or duties that would otherwise apply under the Graham Act, citing U.S. national interests. He stresses that this is a suspension, not a repeal of all sanctions on Russia, and says the order leaves Trump able to reinstate the measures. The presenter argues that the law’s effect was always subject to Trump’s discretion and that applying it could also pressure countries such as China and India, which buy Russian energy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the suspension, saying it weakens pressure on Russia amid attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The presenter challenges Zelensky’s characterization, arguing that the decision is U.S. policy and highlighting what he sees as inconsistency in Zelensky’s comments about the economic impact of U.S.–Russia energy arrangements.

At the European Council summit, Zelensky asked EU countries for at least €70 billion in additional defense funding for 2027, saying Ukraine’s war costs would reach €155 billion that year. The presenter questions the scale of the request, comparing it with a separate proposal for Europeans to contribute the equivalent of one beer a year and noting that Ukraine is also expected to receive other European loans and bilateral aid.

Zelensky also said European partners knew how many Patriot missiles Ukraine needed for winter and that he hoped they would provide them. The presenter says European stockpiles are limited and questions whether countries concerned about a possible Russian threat should send more of their available supplies to Ukraine.

EU foreign-policy chief Kaja Kallas called for the United States to join Europe in increasing pressure on Russia and said the EU had prepared security demands to present to Moscow. The presenter argues that the U.S. will prioritize its own interests rather than fully commit to Europe’s approach, and questions how the EU can negotiate its demands without dialogue with Russia. He also disputes the practicality of using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine while promising to return them if Russia later pays reparations.

Finally, citing an anonymous EU diplomat quoted by Politico, the presenter says EU leaders have not asked Zelensky to soften his criticism of Trump. He interprets the increasingly sharp rhetoric as reflecting a broader dispute between U.S. and European interests, not merely tensions among individual leaders.

Presenters and Contributors

• Presenter: Sebastian Sas
• Other on-screen contributors: None identified.