DOMINANT ANGLE
Kiev interprets the suspension of the Graham law as an implicit green light for Russian strikes against its power grid as winter approaches, and a financial reward for Vladimir Putin.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
The decree signed on Friday, October 16, suspends the 100% duties on the first five buyers of Russian oil and gas and the 500% surtaxes on Russian energy imports, scheduled for Sunday, October 18 (Kyiv Post, Ukrinform).
- 02
Zelensky speaks of a "sanctions blackout" after a Russian attack targeted more than 15 key power installations (Ukrainska Pravda).
- 03
Zelensky considers the "diesel deal" "the first step" and believes that "the lifting of sanctions will continue" (Kyiv Post, Ukrainska Pravda).
ANALYSIS
Kiev, October 17, 2026. On Friday, October 16, Donald Trump signed a decree suspending most of the sanctions and customs duties provided for by the Lindsey Graham law, which he himself had enacted on September 18. According to Kyiv Post, the measures were due to come into effect on Sunday, October 18: 100% duties targeting the top five buyers of Russian oil and gas, and 500% surtaxes on Russian energy imports. The president cited "national interest" and transmitted a certification to Congress to this effect.
Ukrainska Pravda specifies that the decree formally establishes the duties while suspending their application: Trump could therefore activate them later. Citing Bloomberg, it links the move to the desire to lower diesel prices before the midterm elections and to the agreement on Russian diesel announced the previous week. Ukrinform recalls that Section 115 of the law authorizes this exemption, but not the lifting of already announced sanctions, and anticipates a new wave of criticism in Congress, including from Republicans.
The Ukrainian reading is first and foremost a security one. Volodymyr Zelensky speaks of a "sanctions blackout" in the aftermath of one of the largest Russian attacks on the energy sector: more than 15 electricity production and transportation facilities targeted. He claims that Russia is trying to plunge Ukraine into darkness just before winter, depriving millions of people of electricity and heating, and that easing the pressure "only encourages" it to continue attacking.
On Saturday, October 17, before the press, he judged the "diesel deal" to be "the first step" and predicted that "the lifting of sanctions will continue." According to him, Putin "feels joy, happiness" from such support; neither the lifting of sanctions nor the restriction of Ukrainian responses will stop him. He hopes, however, that the American president will do what is necessary to stop the strikes against energy infrastructure.
Kiev is also turning to Congress: Zelensky thanked the parliamentarians who voted for the law, saluting bipartisan support, and believes it can still serve if every voice counts. His negotiating team is in contact with Washington; a meeting is expected this week, as the Americans were unable to come to Brussels. Kyiv Post notes that relations between the two capitals have deteriorated.
SOURCES (3)
- Kyiv PostMEDIUM
- Ukrainska Pravda ENMEDIUM
