Former President Donald Trump has threatened to impose new sanctions and tariffs on Russia unless they agree to a ceasefire and final peace settlement with Ukraine. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump stated, “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.”
Trump has repeatedly positioned himself as a “peacemaker” and “mediator” between Russia and Ukraine, which has been defending against a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022. During an economic update, Trump expressed frustration with the ongoing conflict, stating, “I think we’re doing very well with Russia. But right now, they’re bombing the hell out of Ukraine.”
He also noted the challenges in negotiating with Ukraine, saying, “I’m finding it more difficult to deal with Ukraine,” and suggested that securing a peace deal might be “easier to deal with Russia, which is odd, as they have all the cards.”
Looking ahead to upcoming diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia, Trump emphasized the urgency of reaching a resolution, urging both sides to “get on the ball, to get the job done.” His comments reflect his continued focus on brokering peace while leveraging economic measures to pressure Russia into negotiations.
