Washington (TDI): President Donald Trump threatened Russia with large-scale banking sanctions and more tariffs until a final peace agreement is reached.
The statement came days after the US administration paused aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine.
Earlier, the White House had hinted at giving Russia possible sanctions relief to push Russia towards the end of the war in Ukraine and improve political and diplomatic relations.
However, after the Russian forces surrounded the Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region, the US President, on Friday, hinted at putting more tariffs and large-scale sanctions on Russia.
He said, “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!!!”
“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,… pic.twitter.com/kwrfbaQw4d
— President Donald J. Trump (@POTUS) March 7, 2025
Thousands of Ukrainian forces had infiltrated Russia’s Kursk region last summer, a leverage that President Zelenskyy had planned to use in peace talks with Russia.
Read More: Russia Seeks Peace, But Ready to Fight for Self-Defense: Envoy
However, in the last three days, the situation of Ukrainian forces has severely deteriorated as they were surrounded by Russian forces in a counter-offensive attack.
Russian forces also conducted a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in Odesa, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Ternopil, using nearly 70 ballistic and cruise missiles, and 200 drones.
Last night, the Russian army carried out another massive attack on our energy infrastructure. Various facilities were targeted in several regions – Odesa, Poltava, Chernihiv, and Ternopil. In total, the Russians used nearly 70 missiles, both cruise and ballistic, as well as… pic.twitter.com/bpj5XCPYSW
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 7, 2025
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Russian attacks targeted “ordinary residential buildings,” on Thursday.
Also, in the Kharkiv region, a Russian missile hit close to an apartment building, causing injuries to civilians.
The Ukrainian President also asked Russia to stop attacking the civilian population and ensure that a ceasefire on land, air, and at sea is observed.
He said, “The first steps toward real peace must include forcing the sole source of this war, Russia, to stop such attacks against life. And this is something that can be effectively monitored. Silence in the skies – banning the use of missiles, long-range drones, and aerial bombs. And silence at sea – a real guarantee of normal navigation.”
He further stated, “Ukraine is ready to pursue the path to peace, and it is Ukraine that strives for peace from the very first second of this war. The task is to force Russia to stop the war.”
The call for peace came after the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, proposed the plan to have a one-month ceasefire, as well as arming Ukraine with defense weapons.
Several European countries pledged to increase military aid for Ukraine.
On the other hand, the peace plan proposed by France and Britain at the Leaders Summit on Ukraine in London was criticized by the United States, Russia, and Hungary.
Read More: Hungarian PM Questions France’s Pro-War Stance on Ukraine
Russia is the largest producer of oil and is subject to wide-range sanctions imposed by the United States and several other European countries, since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Despite the growing tensions between Ukraine and the US, after the showdown match in Washington, President Zelenskyy conveyed the desire to resume talks on a peace plan with the United States.
Today was a very productive day in Brussels for Ukraine and all of Europe at the European Council summit at the leaders’ level. I had good meetings with @eucopresident and @vonderleyen. Met with @EmmanuelMacron, @Bart_DeWever, and @_CStocker on the sidelines of the summit. Also…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 6, 2025
On Friday, he announced his plan to visit Saudi Arabia, to meet with the Saudi Crown Prince, after which, his team will work with the Americans to negotiate a peace plan to end the war.
He further said, “Ukraine is working and will continue to work constructively for a swift and reliable peace.”
