
Trump says Russia will be hit with sanctions if the situation does not change/PBS
Trump says there has not been progress despite the 50-day deadline.
U.S. President Donald Trump has voiced significant frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin and revealed intentions to cut short the 50-day deadline he had established for achieving a ceasefire in Ukraine.
“We could have made an agreement five times already,” Trump said during a press briefing. “I’ve talked a lot with President Putin, and the talks went very well each time. But then he goes out, launches missiles into a city like Kyiv, and kills people in a nursing home. Bodies lying in the streets — that’s not how to do it. So I’m very disappointed. We’re going to review the situation, and I’m going to reduce the 50 days I gave him to a lesser number, because I think I already know how this is going to end.”
Previously, Trump had declared that without a settlement within 50 days, the United States would implement 100% tariffs and secondary sanctions against Russia.
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Karoline Leavitt, White House spokesperson, verified that nations buying Russian oil would similarly face sanctions, a strategy designed to cause substantial economic harm to Moscow.
Scott Bessant, U.S. Treasury Secretary, emphasized that if America proceeds with secondary tariffs, European partners should adopt similar measures.
Chris Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary, also observed that sanctions focused on Russian oil continue to be a realistic and effective instrument for applying pressure on the Kremlin regarding its ongoing military operations in Ukraine.
Most recently, Trump suggested that these punitive actions might be implemented sooner than originally anticipated.
When questioned about his proximity to implementing secondary sanctions, Trump responded, “We’re looking at this whole situation. We may have to impose secondary sanctions on them.”
When asked if he might act before the initial 50-day timeframe, he answered: “Maybe, yes.”