US President Donald Trump on Friday raised the possibility of imposing large-scale sanctions on Russia, just days after suspending military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine. He also urged both nations to begin peace negotiations immediately.
Trump’s threat of banking restrictions and tariffs followed a Reuters report earlier in the week stating that the White House was considering potential sanctions relief for Russia as part of efforts to end the war and strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow.
“Given that Russia is currently ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield, I am seriously considering large-scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Ceasefire and final peace agreement is reached,” Trump wrote on his social media platform.
He added: “To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”
Russian gains in Kursk: Ukraine struggles
Meanwhile, Russian forces have nearly encircled thousands of Ukrainian troops who launched a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region last summer. Kyiv had hoped the offensive would provide leverage in negotiations, but the situation has worsened significantly.
Open-source maps indicate Ukraine’s position in Kursk has deteriorated rapidly over the past three days. Russia’s counteroffensive has almost split Ukrainian forces in two, cutting them off from key supply routes.
“The situation for Ukraine in Kursk is very bad,” said military analyst Pasi Paroinen of the Finland-based Black Bird Group.
Trump’s shift in tone toward Putin
Despite his tough stance on sanctions, Trump later adopted a more conciliatory tone toward Russian President Vladimir Putin, suggesting the Russian leader wanted to end the war.
“I think he wants to get it stopped and settled, and I think he’s hitting them harder than before,” Trump said. “And I think probably anybody in that position would be doing that right now.”
He also admitted that negotiations with Ukraine had been more difficult than expected. “I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine,” Trump said.
Russian missile strikes: Escalating attacks
Russian forces launched their first major missile strike on Ukraine since the US paused intelligence sharing, damaging energy and gas infrastructure. Ukrainian officials reported ten injuries, including a child.
Calls for a truce
In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged a truce covering air and sea operations as a first step toward peace.
“The first steps to real peace must involve forcing the sole source of this war—Russia—to stop such attacks,” Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.
Moscow dismissed the ceasefire proposal, which was also backed by Britain and France. The Kremlin further rejected the idea of NATO peacekeepers entering Ukraine, after European leaders suggested an international force could oversee a settlement.
US sanctions and potential relief for Russia
Russia, a major oil producer, is already under heavy US and Western sanctions following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These include measures designed to limit Moscow’s oil and gas revenue, such as a $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian oil exports.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, the US is exploring ways to ease these sanctions if Russia agrees to end the war. However, Trump did not provide details on the additional sanctions he is considering.
Upcoming Saudi Arabia talks
Despite rising tensions with Trump, Zelenskyy announced he would travel to Saudi Arabia on Monday for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The visit comes ahead of a meeting between US and Ukrainian officials.
Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has already engaged in extensive discussions with Russian officials. He confirmed that negotiations with Ukraine would take place in Saudi Arabia next week.
Currently, Russia occupies around one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory, including Crimea, which it annexed in 2014. Its forces continue to make steady advances in the eastern Donetsk region.
Kyiv has been pushing for strong security guarantees in any peace deal, but the US has been reluctant to commit. Instead, Washington has proposed a critical minerals agreement, which Trump argues would be sufficient.
Zelenskyy has yet to sign the agreement and recently clashed with Trump over the issue.
US officials aim to ‘get things back on track’
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated that he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio would attend the Saudi Arabia talks with Ukraine.
“I think we’ll get things back on track,” Waltz said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described his recent conversation with Rubio as “constructive,” signaling that diplomatic efforts are ongoing.