Trump Renews Threat of Sanctions Against Russia Over Ukraine Conflict
US President warns of potential economic retaliation if there is no progress toward peace in the next two weeks.
Washington/Kyiv: US President Donald Trump has reiterated his threat to impose sanctions on Russia, should there be no progress towards a peaceful resolution in Ukraine within the next two weeks.
This announcement comes in the wake of the meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week.
The potential for economic retaliation, according to Trump, could include 'massive sanctions or massive tariffs' and would mark a significant escalation in the already tense international situation regarding the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Russia's recent military actions in Ukraine, particularly a deadly strike on a factory this week.
In response to questions from reporters at the White House, Trump reaffirmed his disapproval of the ongoing war: 'I'm not happy about it, and I'm not happy about anything having to do with that war.'
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has been advocating for a meeting between himself and Putin as a necessary step towards ending the conflict.
However, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov stated there is currently no agenda for such a summit.
Zelensky accused Russia of stalling, emphasizing that a meeting to negotiate an end to the war remains one of the key components.
Trump had previously indicated he was arranging for a Putin-Zelensky meeting following his call with Putin after their meeting in Alaska on August 15th.
However, Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed security guarantees at a press conference in Kyiv, which they believe are essential to prevent future attacks from Russia.
The idea is for these guarantees to be similar to NATO's Article 5.
Russia has maintained its demand that Ukraine cede control over two eastern regions it currently holds and proposed freezing the conflict line in two additional southern regions claimed by Moscow.
Zelensky has softened his stance on requiring a lengthy ceasefire as a prerequisite for negotiations, though he still emphasizes that Ukraine cannot negotiate under duress.
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with neither party showing signs of backing down.
The international community remains deeply divided over the issue, further complicating efforts to broker a lasting peace.
This announcement comes in the wake of the meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week.
The potential for economic retaliation, according to Trump, could include 'massive sanctions or massive tariffs' and would mark a significant escalation in the already tense international situation regarding the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Russia's recent military actions in Ukraine, particularly a deadly strike on a factory this week.
In response to questions from reporters at the White House, Trump reaffirmed his disapproval of the ongoing war: 'I'm not happy about it, and I'm not happy about anything having to do with that war.'
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has been advocating for a meeting between himself and Putin as a necessary step towards ending the conflict.
However, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov stated there is currently no agenda for such a summit.
Zelensky accused Russia of stalling, emphasizing that a meeting to negotiate an end to the war remains one of the key components.
Trump had previously indicated he was arranging for a Putin-Zelensky meeting following his call with Putin after their meeting in Alaska on August 15th.
However, Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte discussed security guarantees at a press conference in Kyiv, which they believe are essential to prevent future attacks from Russia.
The idea is for these guarantees to be similar to NATO's Article 5.
Russia has maintained its demand that Ukraine cede control over two eastern regions it currently holds and proposed freezing the conflict line in two additional southern regions claimed by Moscow.
Zelensky has softened his stance on requiring a lengthy ceasefire as a prerequisite for negotiations, though he still emphasizes that Ukraine cannot negotiate under duress.
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with neither party showing signs of backing down.
The international community remains deeply divided over the issue, further complicating efforts to broker a lasting peace.
