Trump considers imposing new sanctions and tariffs on Russia over Ukraine
President Donald Trump threatened Friday to impose new sanctions and tariffs on Russia over its bombing of Ukraine, after suspending US aid to Kiev in a bid to persuade it to accept a negotiating path.
“Given that Russia is currently bombing Ukraine on the battlefield, I am strongly considering imposing large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and final peace settlement can be reached,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social platform.
He added, addressing both Russia and Ukraine, “Bring them to the negotiating table now, before it’s too late”.
Trump’s threat comes after Russia launched drone and missile attacks on Friday targeting energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
Days ago, the Trump administration suspended the delivery of US military aid and stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine after a verbal altercation between Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.
US National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Trump’s threat was part of a diplomatic strategy.
“President Trump is determined that we need to bring everyone to the table, and we can do that with carrots, and we can do that with sticks, and he’s talking to everyone,” Hassett told reporters.
Trump and his vice president, Vice President J. D. Vance, reprimanded Zelensky on February 28 in front of reporters at the White House, accusing him of ingratitude for the assistance Washington had provided to his country.
Since then, Trump has faced harsh criticism from allies and domestic opponents who have accused him of siding with Russia, which invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The United States also voted with Russia and against its European allies in the UN Security Council on a resolution calling for an end to the war that didn’t address Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Trump spoke by phone last month with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an initial step toward restoring normal relations and lifting tough sanctions imposed on Moscow under former President Joe Biden.
