Trump says suspension of Russia sanctions is to keep peace negotiations going

US President Donald Trump has said his decision to suspend several Russian sanctions is an effort to keep Moscow at the negotiating table.

"I am in the process of negotiating Peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine," Trump said on his Truth Social messaging platform, adding that he didn't want to "do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table".

Trump blocked numerous sanctions on Russia on Friday night, two days before they were due to take effect, as a row with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky deepened.

In his Truth Social post, Trump also said Zelensky "doesn't want to end this war, and probably never did", adding "he could have made a better deal two years ago than he can now".