Trump Threatens Russia with More Sanctions Over Ukraine War: ‘Time to Negotiate’
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Russia on Friday, threatening large-scale sanctions and tariffs unless it agrees to a peace deal with Ukraine. In a Truth Social post, Trump urged both nations to “get to the table right now, before it’s too late,” signaling a shift from his earlier efforts to ease tensions with Moscow. The statement follows a heated White House clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and comes as Russian strikes intensify in Ukraine.
Trump’s post highlighted Russia’s battlefield dominance, saying, “Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine right now.” He added, “I am strongly considering large-scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED.” This marks a stark contrast to reports earlier this week from Reuters, which suggested the White House was exploring sanction relief to improve U.S.-Russia ties and end the war that began with Russia’s 2022 invasion.
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The change in tone follows Trump’s rocky meeting with Zelenskyy, where frustrations boiled over U.S. aid—over $180 billion since the conflict started. Trump has paused military support, pushing Ukraine toward negotiations with Russia. But his latest threat suggests impatience with the deadlock, especially as Russia’s advances continue to devastate Ukrainian cities.
Experts warn that easing sanctions, as Trump previously considered, could backfire. It might give Russia’s economy—strained by former President Joe Biden’s tough measures—a lifeline to keep fighting. Now, Trump’s pivot to sanctions and tariffs aims to pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin into talks. The U.S. still imports about $1.4 billion in Russian fertilizers and uranium yearly, areas Trump could target.
For Ukraine, the stakes are high. Zelenskyy insists on strong security guarantees, like NATO membership, which Trump has downplayed. With Russian forces controlling nearly 20% of Ukraine, per recent estimates, Trump’s call for peace talks could force tough choices. As the war nears its third anniversary, the world watches to see if this latest warning breaks the stalemate—or deepens the rift.
