Ukraine War Briefing: Trump's Sanctions Waiver is a '60-Day Pause' to Analyze Economic Impact, Says Rubio
Ukraine's Zelenskyy Expects Trump to Lift More Sanctions Against Russia. What We Know on Day 1,698
TL;DR
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described President Trump's waiver of sanctions on Russia as a 60-day pause for economic analysis.
- Members of Congress, including Senators Rick Scott and Thom Tillis, criticized the waiver, calling it 'irresponsible' and a capitulation.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy anticipates more sanctions will be lifted and has called for Europe to negotiate independently with Moscow.
- Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine's lead negotiator met with US presidential envoy Jared Kushner, and efforts are underway for a three-way meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Putin.
- Russian air defense units intercepted nearly 200 Ukrainian drones targeting Moscow, leading to temporary flight suspensions at two Moscow airports.
- Romania reported shooting down two Russian drones over the Black Sea, amidst ongoing incidents believed to be spillover from the Ukraine invasion.