---
title: "\"Sanctions Blackout\": Zelenskyy Responds to Trump's Suspension of Sanctions Under Graham's Bill"
description: "Zelenskyy called Trump's suspension of sanctions under Graham's bill a \"sanctions blackout,\" urging not to ease pressure on Russia amid strikes on 15 Ukrainian energy facilities."
date: 2026-10-17T15:06:20.677Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelenskyy-sanctions-blackout-trump-graham-bill
tags: [zelensky, trump, sanctions, ukraine-energy, graham-law, russia, blumenthal]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# "Sanctions Blackout": Zelenskyy Responds to Trump's Suspension of Sanctions Under Graham's Bill

![Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaking against a mountainous backdrop](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/17/zelensky-sanktsionnyy-blekaut-trump-zakon-grema/zelensky-sanktsionnyy-blekaut-trump-zakon-grema-1.webp)

## Key Points

- Zelenskyy called Trump's suspension of sanctions under Graham's bill a "sanctions blackout"
- Russian forces attacked more than 15 energy facilities in Ukraine on October 16
- Trump used the suspension mechanism in Graham's bill, retaining the right to reinstate sanctions
- Senator Blumenthal publicly criticized Trump's decision
- Zelenskyy urged not to ease pressure and to end the war

On October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented via his Telegram channel on US President Donald Trump's decision to suspend the so-called "hellish sanctions" against Russia, embedded in a bill promoted by the late Senator Lindsey Graham. The head of the Ukrainian state called this move a "sanctions blackout" and stated that easing pressure on Moscow at a time of massive attacks on energy infrastructure only encourages the Kremlin to continue the war.

### Large-scale Energy Strikes as Context

Zelenskyy's commentary came against the backdrop of one of the largest strikes on Ukraine's energy system throughout the war. According to the president, the previous day Russian forces attacked more than 15 key power generation and transmission facilities in various regions of the country. The most difficult situation, he noted, developed in Lutsk, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Shepetivka, Slavuta, and Netishyn. Zelenskyy emphasized that restoration work is being carried out by all available energy companies, and Russia, in his assessment, is "scaling up its anti-energy operation," aiming to disperse Ukraine's reserves and recovery potential.

### What is "Graham's Bill" and What Exactly Did Trump Sign?

The bill, developed by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, envisaged the introduction of large-scale tariffs and restrictions against countries continuing to purchase Russian energy resources. The document, dubbed "Graham's Bill" in the media space, contained a mechanism allowing the US president to suspend the enforcement of sanctions. Donald Trump utilized this exact provision by signing a directive that formally introduces the tariffs but halts their application. In essence, this means Trump retains the right to activate the sanctions in the future if he deems it appropriate.

### "Sanctions Blackout": Zelenskyy's Position

Zelenskyy directly linked Washington's decision to the escalation of attacks on Ukraine's energy sector. "At a time when the Russians have inflicted such a massive strike on our energy sector, a decision was made in the US to completely ignore Lindsey Graham's bill, which was supposed to introduce genuinely effective pressure on Russia to end this war," the president wrote. He added that the bill "could—and still can" help, but for that, "every vote for it matters." Zelenskyy also stated that Russia is trying to create a blackout in Ukraine ahead of winter, leaving millions of people without electricity and heating, and urged not to surrender positions in sanctions pressure: "The American sanctions blackout, the easing of pressure on the aggressor, cash rewards for Putin—this all only encourages him to strike further.">

### Reaction in the US Congress

Trump's decision has already drawn sharp criticism within the US. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who co-authored the "hellish sanctions" bill with Graham, publicly condemned the president's refusal to implement the restrictions embedded in the law. Thus, disagreements between the executive and legislative branches of power in the US have once again flared up over the issue of sanctions pressure on Russia.

### What This Means for Future Dynamics

The suspension, rather than the final cancellation of sanctions, leaves room for maneuver: Trump can reinstate the tariffs at any moment. However, as Zelenskyy emphasizes, the very fact that pressure is being eased at a time when Russia is scaling up energy strikes is perceived in Kyiv as a signal reinforcing the Kremlin's course toward continuing the war. According to the president, the Ukrainian side continues to convey information about the consequences of the attacks to American partners, and new support packages from European allies have already been prepared.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- ["Санкционный блекаут": Зеленский отреагировал на решение Трампа о "законе Грэма"](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/sanktsiyniy-blekaut-zelenskiy-vidreaguvav-1792232369.html) - Primary source. Contains direct quotes from Zelenskyy from Telegram, a description of Trump's directive, and mention of Blumenthal's criticism.
- [Зеленский отреагировал на удары по энергетике](https://korrespondent.net/ukraine/4920968-zelenskyi-otreahyroval-na-udary-po-enerhetyke) - Confirms the number of attacks (>15 facilities), the list of regions, the date (Saturday, October 17), and the context of the "sanctions blackout".

## FAQ

### What is "Graham's Bill" and what happened to it?

It is a bill developed by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal providing for large-scale tariffs against countries buying Russian energy. Trump signed a directive formally introducing these tariffs but suspending their enforcement. He retains the right to activate sanctions in the future.

### How many energy facilities were attacked in Ukraine?

According to Zelenskyy, on October 16, more than 15 key power generation and transmission facilities were attacked. The most difficult situation is in Lutsk, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Shepetivka, Slavuta, and Netishyn.

### How did the US Congress react to Trump's decision?

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, a co-author of the bill, publicly criticized Trump for refusing to impose the restrictions established in the law.

### Does Trump's decision mean the complete cancellation of sanctions?

No. The directive suspends the enforcement of tariffs but does not cancel them. Trump can return the sanctions at any moment using the same mechanism.