President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he is “strongly considering” sanctions and tariffs on Russia.
“Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, 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,” he wrote. “To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”
The announcement comes one week after Trump’s and Vice President JD Vance’s tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
During the meeting, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for “gambling with World War III.”
“With us, you start having cards,” Trump said. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people! You’re gambling with World War III.”
Zelenskyy later released a statement saying, “I would like to reiterate Ukraine’s commitment to peace. None of us wants an endless war. Ukraine is ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to bring lasting peace closer. Nobody wants peace more than Ukrainians. My team and I stand ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership to get a peace that lasts.”
He added that the meeting in Washington “did not go the way it was supposed to be” and stated that it “is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right. We would like future cooperation and communication to be constructive.”
“Regarding the agreement on minerals and security, Ukraine is ready to sign it in any time and in any convenient format. We see this agreement as a step toward greater security and solid security guarantees, and I truly hope it will work effectively.”
