Trump says Russia's actions in Ukraine are 'fine'
The gist
U.S. President Donald Trump said Russia "has been fine on Ukraine" and that it "hasn't been doing much."
It came a day after Russian strikes killed six in a Kharkiv park.
How it unfolded
- Sep 18, 2026Trump signed the bipartisan Lindsey Graham Act, which imposed new sanctions on Russia, into law.
- Oct 15, 2026Kyiv said it would no longer abide by Trump's "energy ceasefire," citing Russia's refusal to halt attacks on Ukraine's power grid, and hit a Russian oil refinery that day.
- Oct 16, 2026Trump waived a further slate of Russia-related sanctions days before they were to take effect, saying he certified to Congress the waiver was in the U.S. national interest. He also told Newsmax that Ukraine resuming strikes on Russian oil refineries was a "disgrace."