U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he is strongly considering imposing large-scale sanctions and tariffs on Russia, citing the intensifying conflict in Ukraine. His remarks came just days after the U.S. paused military aid and intelligence support to Kyiv. Trump emphasized that economic pressure on Moscow would continue until a ceasefire and a final peace settlement are reached.
"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 declared on his social media platform. He urged both Russia and Ukraine to engage in negotiations immediately, warning that time was running out.
The threat of new sanctions followed reports that the White House had been exploring potential sanctions relief for Russia as part of efforts to end the war and rebuild diplomatic and economic relations with Moscow. Despite his tough stance on sanctions, Trump later expressed optimism about Russian President Vladimir Putin's willingness to negotiate peace.
"I think he wants to get it stopped and settled," Trump said, adding that he believes Putin has intensified military efforts in Ukraine to gain leverage in talks. However, he also acknowledged difficulties in dealing with Kyiv, stating, "I'm finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine."
On the battlefield, Russian forces have nearly encircled thousands of Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk region, where Kyiv had attempted a strategic incursion last summer. The situation has deteriorated rapidly in recent days, with open-source maps indicating that Ukraine’s supply lines are now severely compromised.
"The situation (for Ukraine in Kursk) is very bad," military analyst Pasi Paroinen of the Finland-based Black Bird Group told Reuters.
In a further escalation, Russia launched overnight missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure, injuring ten civilians, including a child. The attack marked the first major strike since the U.S. paused intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called for an immediate truce covering air and sea operations, arguing that halting Russian strikes was a necessary first step toward real peace. However, Moscow swiftly rejected the idea, reaffirming its stance against any NATO-backed peacekeeping presence in Ukraine.
As Trump’s administration navigates a diplomatic shift toward Moscow, Zelenskiy is seeking to bolster Western support. He announced plans to visit Saudi Arabia next week for discussions with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, ahead of scheduled talks between U.S. and Ukrainian officials.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has already held discussions with Russian officials and confirmed that negotiations with Ukraine on a peace framework are set to take place in Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz are expected to lead discussions with Ukrainian representatives.
Despite Ukraine’s push for firm security guarantees, Washington has yet to commit to any specific terms. Instead, Trump has pointed to a potential critical minerals agreement as a key component of future negotiations, a proposal that has been met with resistance from Kyiv.
In a parallel diplomatic effort, Trump confirmed that he has reached out to Iran’s leadership, urging negotiations over its nuclear program. In an interview with Fox Business Network, he revealed that he sent a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proposing talks.
"I said I hope you're going to negotiate, because it's going to be a lot better for Iran," Trump stated. He reiterated that he prefers diplomacy over military action but warned that a resolution was needed urgently.
While Iran’s government has yet to respond officially, state-affiliated media dismissed Trump’s outreach as a "repetitive show" by Washington. Nevertheless, Trump remains optimistic that a breakthrough on the issue is imminent, signaling that his administration is prepared for significant developments in the near future.
With tensions escalating on multiple fronts, the coming weeks could prove pivotal for U.S. foreign policy, as Trump attempts to reshape America’s role in global conflicts.