US President Donald Trump blocked several new sanctions on Russia on Friday night. The sanctions were part of a law that he signed in September. They were due to start on 18 October. Trump said blocking some of them was good for the United States. The law aims to punish Russia for its war in Ukraine.

The law allows the US to place taxes of up to 100% on countries that buy Russian oil and gas. China and India are major buyers. It also targets Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russian officials, banks, and ships that carry Russian oil. A group of 20 US lawmakers asked Trump to use all parts of the law. They said this could push Putin to hold serious peace talks.

Trump also said the US would buy Russian diesel to lower fuel prices before the November elections. US lawmakers, European allies, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticised this plan. They said the money could help Russia continue the war. Trump also said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to stop attacks on energy sites, but Russia said there was no agreement. Fighting continued, and tensions between Trump and Zelensky grew.