(WASHINGTON) — President Donald Trump on Friday said he would turn up the heat on Russia until it reaches a ceasefire and peace deal with Ukraine.
Trump threatened Russia with sanctions and tariffs in a Truth Social post.
“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. To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you,” he posted without further details.
The Biden administration previously issued sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine three years ago.
Trump has come under criticism for not being tough on Russian President Vladimir Putin during his negotiations with Russia and Ukraine to end the conflict. He has falsely and repeatedly claimed that Ukraine started the war.
Answering questions from reporters in the Oval Office later Friday, Trump was asked if he still believed Putin “wants peace.”
“I believe him,” Trump said. “I’m finding it more difficult to deal with Ukraine. They don’t have the cards.”
The president’s post came hours after Russia launched a major attack on Ukraine in which it deployed 261 missiles and drones that targeted energy and gas infrastructure in various regions, according to Ukrainian officials.
The Trump administration also paused military aid and intelligence data with Ukraine this week, following last week’s explosive argument between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office.
Zelenskyy pushed back on Trump and Vance during the meeting and reiterated that Putin has gone back on negotiations and harmed his country.
Trump was asked if Putin was taking advantage of the void left by the U.S. dropping its aid to Ukraine.
“I think he’s doing what anyone else would do. I think he’s hitting them harder. He wants to get it ended. I think Ukraine wants to get it ended but I don’t know,” the president said adding that the war should not have started.
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