Trump threatens Russia with sanctions "until a ceasefire is achieved"

WashingtonThe fine words are over for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Donald Trump announced on Friday morning that he is considering imposing "sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and final peace agreement are reached." After weeks in which Washington has made concessions to Moscow, the change of script is still surprising. Although it is true that as much as Trump has been saying that Putin wants to end the war and is willing to sign a ceasefire, the Kremlin has not spoken so clearly.

"Based on the fact that Russia is currently hitting Ukraine hard on the battlefield, I am seriously considering large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions and tariffs against Russia until a ceasefire and final peace agreement are reached. On Russia and Ukraine: I sat down. A short post on Truth Social.

Despite being a threat, Trump continues to maintain the same line on the conflict. He says that Russia is attacking Ukraine hard, and portrays Putin as the strong man who would not need to agree to a ceasefire. On the other hand, he once again shows the war from the prism of a conflict resulting from hostility between two countries and not as a consequence of the Russian invasion in 2022. The "sit at the table right now" aims to level the two leaders, as if both had the same responsibility for the drift of the conflict, when this is not the case.

Now the US president is threatening to impose sanctions on Russia, when only a few days ago he had put on the table the possibility of lifting them. At the same time, he is cutting off military aid to Ukraine to finish subjugating Ukrainian Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump ordered the State and Treasury departments to draw up a list of sanctions that could be lifted. The Trump administration has defended breaking Russia's isolation as a necessary step in reaching an agreement.

Russia launched a combined attack with drones and cruise missiles against Ukraine's gas and electricity infrastructure early this morning, causing at least seven injuries and material damage in several regions. Despite the offensive, Trump has insisted that he still trusts Putin to get a ceasefire signed. "I still believe in Putin," he said from the Oval Office, where he appeared shortly after launching the threat. In fact, Trump has not made any comment on the reasons why he has criticized Putin and threatened him with sanctions.

Asked if he thinks Putin is taking advantage of the US position, Trump said: "I think he's doing what anybody else would do. And I think he wants this to be over and done with." He once again reinforced Russia's position, saying it has "been attacking" Ukraine and that "nobody in their position would do it [negotiate a ceasefire], right now."

Negotiating with Kiev: "Very difficult"

Washington's blackmail in Ukraine by cutting off military aid and the supply of intelligence The US has all but given up on any chance of securing a US security commitment. Trump has once again criticised him from the Oval Office, saying it is "very difficult" to negotiate with him, although the Ukrainian has practically given in to all of his demands. He has also explained that providing security guarantees in Ukraine before the ceasefire is signed is not among his priorities. "Before thinking about this, I want to resolve the war," he told reporters, and stated that "as for the security issue [it will be resolved] later, this is the easy part."

Earlier this week, the White House confirmed that the president is considering suspending aid and the rare earths exploitation agreement. The announcement came in parallel with increased pressure on Ukraine with the interruption of US intelligence cooperation.

The threat to impose "large-scale" sanctions against Russia comes just before the US delegation is due to meet with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war. The same delegation met with their Russian counterparts in Riyadh last month.

Former President Joe Biden imposed numerous sanctions on Moscow since the start of the war, including measures targeting the energy sector, the defense sector, and several other aspects of the Russian economy aimed at weakening Russia's ability to finance the war.