DOMINANT ANGLE
Kuala Lumpur sees the suspension of sanctions as a rift between Washington and Kiev, while Europe closes ranks behind Volodymyr Zelensky.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
Donald Trump signed a decree on Friday, October 16, lifting sanctions and tariffs on Russian energy revenues, which the Lindsey Graham law had provided for up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas (Malay Mail).
- 02
On Saturday, October 17, Volodymyr Zelensky judged that this measure "rewards" Vladimir Putin and that the diesel agreement is "only a first step" (The Sun MY).
- 03
On the same day as the decree, Russia attacked fifteen Ukrainian electricity production facilities, in "one of the largest" attacks on the grid (The Sun MY).
ANALYSIS
Kuala Lumpur, October 17, 2026. For Malay Mail, Donald Trump signed a decree on Friday, October 16, lifting vast sanctions and customs duties targeting Russia's energy revenues, which marks "a new low" in Washington's relations with war-torn Ukraine. The newspaper recalls that the Lindsey Graham law, promulgated by the president last month, authorized him to impose up to 100% duties on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. It also targeted the energy and defense sectors, Vladimir Putin and other leaders, as well as the "ghost fleet" of oil tankers.
The Malaysian press links this decision to the agreement between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin: Moscow would supply large quantities of diesel to global markets in exchange for a relaxation of sanctions. Malay Mail adds that the American war in Iran has caused severe oil shortages and price hikes, creating strong headwinds for the Republican Party ahead of next month's midterm elections.
On Saturday, October 17, according to The Sun, Mr. Zelensky stated that he fears Washington will lift other sanctions and that Mr. Trump's gesture will "reward" Mr. Putin. "Unfortunately, the lifting of sanctions will continue. I believe the 'diesel deal' is just a first step," he told journalists. He still hopes, "personally", that Mr. Trump will do "everything in his power" to push Moscow to end the war, but believes this is not achieved by limiting Ukrainian responses.
The newspaper reports that the decision came on the same day Russia targeted fifteen Ukrainian electricity production facilities, in "one of the largest" attacks on the network. One person was killed in Kherson, and Ukraine reported at least two deaths in strikes on Saturday, in the fifth year of the war.
The Malaysian account also emphasizes the personal rift: Mr. Trump called the resumption of Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries "a shame". In Brussels, Mr. Zelensky responded: "I defend exclusively the interests of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people." He requested nearly $80 billion in additional funding from EU leaders for next year. When asked about being a scapegoat for Mr. Trump's domestic difficulties before the election, he just smiled: "That's my answer."
