NYT editorial board urges Trump to stop appeasing Russia
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The gist
The New York Times editorial board published "Stop Appeasing Russia" after Trump waived new Russia sanctions.
The paper's stance puts it at odds with the White House over Ukraine policy.
Background
The New York Times is a major U.S. newspaper whose editorial board writes the paper's institutional opinion pieces. The Oct 20, 2026 essay followed President Trump's Oct 16 executive order exempting Russia from a sanctions measure Congress passed last month — a law named for Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, who died in July after building support for it. The board argued Trump is "aiding an autocratic leader and dangerous adversary of the United States who is waging a brutal war against a democratic neighbor," and said he is acting partly in hopes that gas prices, which jumped because of his war in Iran, will fall before the midterm elections.
How it unfolded
- Oct 9, 2026President Trump announced he would lift sanctions on Russian diesel exports to the United States.
- Oct 16, 2026Trump signed an executive order on Friday night exempting Russia from a new sanctions measure Congress passed last month.
- Oct 19, 2026The New York Times reported that Trump's push for deals with Russia is powering his frustration with Ukraine.
- Oct 20, 2026The New York Times editorial board published "Stop Appeasing Russia."
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The New York Times editorial board wrote that Trump is "aiding an autocratic leader and dangerous adversary of the United States who is waging a brutal war against a democratic neighbor."
- Public
- Trump wrote on social media that President Zelensky "doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did," and said Russia "has been fine on Ukraine."
Still unverified
The White House denies involvement in the Starshield service restrictions, while Elon Musk said only the U.S. military, and ultimately the president, could order them.