Trump Warns Russia of Economic Consequences Over Cease-Fire Agreement
President Trump warned Russia of severe economic consequences if it does not accept a cease-fire with Ukraine, emphasizing a preference for diplomatic solutions. While Ukraine is on board, Russia has expressed frustration over its exclusion from negotiations. U.S. officials are actively pursuing discussions to facilitate a truce, with Secretary of State Rubio indicating their next steps depend on Russia’s response.
On March 13, U.S. President Donald Trump articulated a stern warning to Russia regarding potential significant economic repercussions if the nation fails to endorse a cease-fire agreement with Ukraine. During a press event alongside Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, Trump expressed his hope that such measures would be unnecessary. He asserted that actions could be taken that would substantially harm Russia financially, but he preferred to pursue peace through dialogue instead.
Trump reiterated his commitment to finding a peaceful resolution, mentioning the ongoing cease-fire negotiations with Ukraine, facilitated by U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia. He optimistically noted, “We had a great success yesterday” and emphasized that the initiative now depended on Russia’s response. While Ukraine has publicly welcomed the cease-fire, Moscow has expressed discontent with its exclusion from discussions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the approach, claiming that decisions regarding Ukraine were being made without proper involvement from Russia, stating, “Nobody is talking to us.” In light of this, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reported that U.S. National Security Adviser Michael Waltz had communicated with his Russian counterpart, with Trump’s Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, en route to Moscow to further negotiations.
The urgency for a response from Russia was underscored by Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s commitment to present the agreement directly to them, stating that a positive reply would indicate progress towards peace. Conversely, a rejection would clarify Russia’s true intentions in the ongoing conflict, highlighting the precarious nature of the situation as it unfolds.
In summary, President Trump has indicated that he is prepared to impose significant economic penalties on Russia if it does not agree to a cease-fire with Ukraine. He hopes for a peaceful resolution and has highlighted the importance of cooperation from Russia for a successful outcome. The current dynamics underscore the delicate balance of negotiations amidst geopolitical tensions.
Original Source: www.upi.com
