Zelenskyy Briefs Bipartisan Lawmakers on Sanctions Waiver and Starlink Disruptions

Key points

• Zelenskyy reported that U.S. intelligence sharing was paused for three days, leaving Ukraine vulnerable to Russian ballistic missile attacks, according to Al Jazeera.
• The Ukrainian president stated that Starlink services remain degraded, hindering Ukraine’s ability to intercept Russian drones, per Politico and HuffPost.
• Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) led the call, which included members of both the House and Senate, and issued a joint statement condemning the administration’s actions.
• Trump waived parts of the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 on Friday, despite signing it into law in September, according to Al Jazeera.
• Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that talks are underway for a potential trilateral summit with Russia and China that may exclude Ukraine, per HuffPost.

Background

This briefing follows a week of intense bipartisan opposition to Trump’s Russian diesel import deal. On October 12, Trump announced an agreement to import 300,000 metric tonnes of Russian diesel to lower fuel prices, contradicting 2022 sanctions. By October 15, a bipartisan House group demanded the administration enforce the new sanctions law by October 18 and cancel the diesel deal. The current briefing reflects the escalation of this conflict, with Zelenskyy directly addressing lawmakers about the operational consequences of these policy shifts.

How outlets are covering it

Politico and HuffPost emphasize the bipartisan congressional pushback, with Blumenthal and Tillis calling the administration’s actions impediments to peace. Al Jazeera highlights the technical disruptions, noting that intelligence sharing was paused for three days and Starlink speeds were throttled, which Zelenskyy described as critical vulnerabilities. While the White House, through Rubio and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, framed the diesel deal as a 'carrot' for peace and a benefit for American consumers, critics argue it provides Moscow with revenue to sustain its war machine. Trump himself dismissed Zelenskyy’s concerns, claiming Russia has been 'fine' on Ukraine and suggesting Ukraine should negotiate without him.

Why it matters

The briefing underscores a deepening rift between the U.S. and Ukraine over the pace and terms of peace negotiations. The waiver of sanctions and restrictions on satellite connectivity could embolden Russia, potentially prolonging the conflict and increasing casualties. The bipartisan opposition in Congress signals that the administration’s approach may face legislative hurdles, while the potential exclusion of Ukraine from high-level talks risks further destabilizing the diplomatic landscape.

What to watch

The administration has indicated it will take up to 60 days to assess the economic consequences of the waived sanctions. Lawmakers have signaled upcoming actions to express their support for Ukraine, potentially including legislative measures to reinstate sanctions. The outcome of the potential trilateral summit with Russia and China will be a critical next step, with Ukraine’s foreign minister warning that excluding Kyiv from negotiations could encourage Putin to prolong the war.