Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday condemned President Donald Trump's executive order waiving sanctions and tariffs against Russia under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026.

The move came hours after Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, striking more than 15 critical power generation and transmission facilities. Zelenskyy said the timing of the U.S. decision was unfortunate and would only encourage further Russian aggression.

"At a time when the Russians have carried out such a massive attack on our energy sector, a decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act," Zelenskyy said. He added that the act "could have helped enormously" to pressure Moscow to end the war.

Trump signed the sanctions package into law last month. The president issued the waiver on Friday night, describing it as in the national interest of the United States. The action followed a deal allowing Russia to sell 300,000 tons of diesel fuel in an effort to combat rising energy costs.

Zelenskyy warned that the diesel agreement was likely the first step in broader sanctions relief. "Unfortunately, the lifting of sanctions will continue," he told reporters in Brussels. He said the decisions reward Russian President Vladimir Putin and do not help stop the war.

White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said enforcing the sanctions would interfere with the administration's efforts to negotiate an end to the conflict. The United States has provided Ukraine with more than $175 billion in military, economic, and humanitarian assistance since Russia's full-scale invasion began in 2022. Much of that support has come through supplemental funding bills passed by Congress.

The Graham Act would have imposed steep tariffs on countries importing Russian fuel. Its waiver drew criticism as Moscow has intensified strikes ahead of winter. Ukraine continues to rely heavily on Western backing to sustain its defenses against Russian advances.