Trump Warns Putin of Sanctions Ahead of Ukraine Ceasefire Talks
US President Donald Trump warned Vladimir Putin of severe sanctions if Russia doesn’t agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump indicated ongoing negotiations while emphasizing the importance of peace. Ukrainian President Zelensky supports the ceasefire but cautions against trusting Russia, urging US intervention to ensure compliance.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin about potential “devastating” sanctions if Moscow does not reach a ceasefire agreement concerning the ongoing war in Ukraine. This statement followed a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin at the White House, where Trump noted that US negotiators were currently en route to Russia to discuss a ceasefire proposal, a day after Kyiv agreed to a 30-day truce.
Despite not disclosing specific details, the White House announced that Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, would be traveling to Moscow later this week. Trump asserted, “We could do things very bad for Russia. It would be devastating for Russia. But I don’t want to do that because I want to see peace.” His comments reflected a desire to achieve a resolution as he indicated that securing a ceasefire would bring relief from the protracted conflict that has persisted for three years.
Trump’s remarks followed a recent contentious interaction with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky regarding US support in the conflict. Following Ukraine’s agreement to the truce, Trump temporarily suspended military aid and intelligence sharing but indicated it would be restored.
Ukrainian President Zelensky expressed support for the ceasefire initiative after US and Ukrainian talks in Saudi Arabia. He mentioned, “Ukraine welcomes this proposal… The United States of America has to convince Russia to do this,” emphasizing the need for US intervention to ensure compliance from Russia. Zelensky voiced skepticism about the likelihood of true peace, stating, “None of us trust the Russians.” He reinforced that the ceasefire’s success depends on Russia’s intentions regarding continued hostilities.
In summary, President Trump has warned of severe sanctions against Russia if a ceasefire in Ukraine is not agreed upon, while expressing hope for peace negotiations underway. Both Trump and Zelensky acknowledge the need for US involvement to persuade Russia, though skepticism remains about Russia’s commitment to honoring a ceasefire agreement.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
