President Trump warned on Friday that he could impose severe sanctions on Russia due to its ongoing aggression against Ukraine, as he works towards negotiating a cease-fire in the prolonged conflict between the two nations, which has lasted over three years.
“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”
The 78-year-old former president has been pushing for both countries to come together and end the war. His team is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian representatives next week in Saudi Arabia.
Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff mentioned Thursday that the discussions will focus on efforts to reach a cease-fire, particularly after the U.S. halted military assistance and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was reportedly asked to leave the White House after a heated exchange in the Oval Office last Friday. Trump criticized Zelensky for, among other things, doubting the effectiveness of a temporary cease-fire.
“We can’t just speak about cease-fire and speak and speak. It will not work,” Zelensky argued, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s history of breaking agreements and his concerns about further attacks.
Trump responded, “Look, if you could get a cease-fire right now, I tell you you’d take it, so the bullets stop flying and your men stop getting killed.”
The U.S. president believes that a potential agreement, which would grant America a 50% share in Ukraine’s rare-earth mineral resources, would provide Ukraine with security guarantees through the presence of mining operations personnel.
Both France and the UK have indicated they will send peacekeeping forces once the fighting ceases to prevent any future aggressions.
Former President Joe Biden had steadily escalated economic pressure on Russia to halt its invasion of Ukraine, but he only moved to sanction oil exports in the final days of his presidency.
Biden also refrained from sanctioning numerous Russian oligarchs, including two billionaires who were involved in purchasing U.S. property alongside his son, Hunter Biden, during the Obama-Biden administration.
{Matzav.com}