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The US has paused all military aid to Ukraine (Image: Getty)
US President Donald Trump is considering lifting sanctions on Russia after announcing a pause on US military support to , according to reports.
It emerged overnight that the President was halting aid to the war-torn Eastern European country until President Zelensky is willing to engage in what Trump views as good-faith negotations with the US.
An unnamed White House source told Reuters that Trump is also drawing up a plan to relieve sanctions on in a bid to improve economic and diplomatic relations with the Kremlin.
It comes after insisted that a European peace-keeping force in would need “strong US backing” during a summit in London at the weekend.
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White House ‘considering sanctions relief for Russia’
The US is drawing up plans to offer sanction relief for as part of broader talks with Moscow to end the conflict in , a source told Reuters.
The White House has asked the State and Treasury Departments to create a list of sanctions that could be eased for America and to discuss in the coming days.
This could include a lifting of sanctions on Russian oligarchs, according to reports. It’s not immediately clear what the US would be able to seek in return.
The US is considering lifting sanctions on Russia (Image: Getty)
Donald Trump criticises Zelensky after aid pause
US President has announced a pause on military aid to after criticising President Zelensky on his social media platform Truth Social.
A White House official said Trump was focused on reaching a peace deal and wants Zelensky “committed” to that goal.
To that end, they said the US was “pausing and reviewing” its aid to “ensure that it is contributing to a solution”, the Associated Press reported.
The President has also hit out at the Ukrainian leader’s warning that the end of the war in Eastern Europe could be “very, very far away”.
“This is the worst statement that could have been made by Zelensky, and America will not put up with it for much longer!” Trump wrote on Truth Social yesterday.
He also repeated his claim that the Zelensky “doesn’t want peace” .
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: [REPORT]