Trump Threatens Increased Sanctions Against Russia Until a Peace Agreement is Reached in Ukraine

On Friday, American President Donald Trump announced that he is considering imposing severe sanctions on Russia until a peace agreement is reached to end the war in Ukraine. On social media, Trump stated, “I am seriously considering large-scale banking sanctions, tariffs, and other measures against Russia until a ceasefire and a final peace settlement are concluded.”

He added that Russia and Ukraine need to “sit down at the negotiating table before it’s too late,” emphasizing the urgency of a diplomatic solution. This declaration comes a week after a tense exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Earlier in the week, Trump announced the suspension of intelligence sharing with Ukraine, following the halt of arms deliveries to Kiev. In a letter addressed to Trump, Zelensky expressed his readiness to negotiate a peace agreement with Russia. He also conveyed his intention to sign an agreement on minerals and rare earths with the United States, which was one of the main objectives of his visit to Washington last week. Zelensky added on social media that Ukraine is “ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible to establish lasting peace.”

On Thursday, American media revealed that Ukrainian negotiators will travel to Riyadh on Tuesday to meet with American officials to discuss the outlines of a potential peace agreement. “The idea is to reach a peace agreement and establish an initial ceasefire,” said Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine, who will participate in the discussions alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.