# US Treasury secretary downplays Russia sanctions waiver, warns Zelensky to ‘be careful’

https://mins.news/en/item/105462

- The Kyiv Independent, 2026-10-18 21:09 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://kyivindependent.com/us-treasury-secretary-downplays-russia-sanctions-waiver-warns-zelensky-to-be-careful/

> Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent rejected claims that Washington’s recent actions favored Russia and urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to be careful with his statements. Bessent said the Trump administration waived sanctions that had not taken effect rather than lifting them.

## Related coverage

- [Trump defends Russia sanctions waivers, accuses Zelenskyy of prolonging war](https://mins.news/en/item/105551) — DW, 2026-10-19
- [Trump says Russia sanctions suspension aims to keep peace talks going](https://mins.news/en/item/105486) — BBC News, 2026-10-18
- [Scott Bessent says ‘no one has been tougher on Russian sanctions’ than Trump: Full interview](https://mins.news/en/video/105188) — NBC News, 2026-10-18