Former President Donald Trump of the United States has released a statement threatening Russia with tariffs and sanctions, amidst claims that he shows favoritism towards Moscow in its conflict with Ukraine.
On Friday, via his Truth Social platform, Trump refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion, which has been widely criticized as a blatant violation of the United Nations Charter.
Instead, his comments centered around Russia’s recent attacks, which occurred shortly after the U.S. announced a temporary halt in sharing military intelligence with Ukraine.
“Considering the fact that Russia is currently ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield, I am seriously contemplating large-scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Ceasefire and FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT ARE REACHED,” Trump asserted.
“To both Russia and Ukraine, come to the negotiating table immediately, before it’s too late. Thank you!!!”
Trump has consistently expressed his desire to act as a “mediator” and “peacemaker” between Russia and Ukraine, which has been defending against a large-scale invasion since February 2022.
However, he has increasingly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy while demonstrating a preference for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
During a news conference at the White House on Friday, Trump labeled negotiations with Russia as “easier” than those with Ukraine.
“Honestly, I find it more challenging to deal with Ukraine, as they don’t hold the cards,” Trump remarked. “It might be easier engaging with Russia.”
A history of tension
The tension with Zelenskyy re-emerged soon after Trump began his second term in January.
There is growing skepticism within Trump’s Republican Party regarding ongoing support for Ukraine.
Additionally, Trump had been impeached during his first term over an alleged threat to withhold military aid to Ukraine in exchange for compromising information about his political opponents—an issue critics believe may be influencing current tensions.
In recent weeks, Trump has intensified his criticism of Zelenskyy while attempting to influence peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, leading to perceived early concessions to Moscow.
For instance, Trump stated it was “unlikely” that Ukraine would revert to its pre-2014 borders prior to the Russian annexation of Crimea.
Furthermore, he dismissed Ukraine’s aspirations to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), echoing Russian claims that Ukraine’s bid incited the war.
On February 12, Trump announced a “lengthy and highly productive phone call” with Putin and indicated that both nations would initiate peace talks in Saudi Arabia.
This provoked uproar from traditional U.S. allies in Europe, including Ukraine, which feared being sidelined in the negotiations.
On February 19, Trump heightened tensions by calling Zelenskyy a “dictator” for not conducting elections during wartime, noting that Ukraine remains under martial law, which prohibits elections.
Meanwhile, Trump was pressuring Ukraine to permit the U.S. ownership of its rare earth minerals, essential for technology products. Ukraine hesitated due to concerns over the lack of security assurances.
Relations soured further on February 28, during Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House to discuss the minerals deal.
A press conference in the Oval Office escalated into a heated exchange, where Trump scolded Zelenskyy for not expressing sufficient gratitude for U.S. support.
“Either you reach an agreement, or we’re out,” Trump told Zelenskyy, adding, “Putin endured a lot with me.”
Russian officials praised Trump’s comments, and soon after, Trump indicated he would suspend aid to Ukraine.
On Wednesday, his administration announced a temporary suspension of military intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, a critical tool for tracking Russian troop movements and defending against missile threats.
An overnight assault
In the early hours of Friday, Russia launched a series of missile strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, seemingly exploiting Ukraine’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Ukraine reported interceptions of Russian drones but faced challenges in neutralizing missiles before impact.
The attack prompted Trump’s threat of sanctions, which he elaborated on during an Oval Office address.
“They’re bombarding them relentlessly right now,” Trump stated. “I issued a strong statement: ‘That’s unacceptable. You can’t do that.’ We are trying to assist them, and Ukraine must step up their efforts.”
However, reporters questioned whether Trump’s decision to halt intelligence-sharing with Ukraine had allowed Putin to exploit a moment of weakness.
Trump dismissed the implication, suggesting that the Russian offensive was a natural response to the circumstances and referenced his negotiations with Putin.
“I believe he wants to reach a resolution, and he is hitting them harder than previously,” Trump said regarding Putin.
“Anyone in that situation would likely respond similarly. He seeks to bring this conflict to a close, and it appears Ukraine does as well, but it’s bewildering; they are enduring tremendous hardship. I don’t fully comprehend it.”
When pressed about increasing U.S. support for Ukraine in the face of such attacks, Trump reiterated his belief that Ukraine is reluctant to engage in peace talks.
“I need assurance that they are interested in a settlement. I’m uncertain about their intentions. If they’re not aiming to settle, we’ll withdraw,” Trump concluded.
Mending fences?
In the week following the Oval Office confrontation, Ukrainian officials have made efforts to repair their relationship with U.S. counterparts, with planned meetings in Saudi Arabia next week.
On Tuesday, Zelenskyy sent a letter to Trump indicating his readiness to finalize a deal with the U.S. and reiterated similar sentiments on social media.
“I want to reaffirm Ukraine’s commitment to peace,” Zelenskyy stated. “No one desires peace more than the Ukrainian people. My team and I are prepared to work under President Trump’s assertive leadership to achieve lasting peace.”
Trump read parts of Zelenskyy’s letter before a joint session of Congress, lamenting the substantial funds the U.S. has allocated to support Ukraine’s defense.
“The United States has provided hundreds of billions of dollars to bolster Ukraine’s defense without offering any security guarantees or benefits. Do we intend to continue this for another five years?” he asked.
Nevertheless, Trump’s recent threat of sanctions against Russia marks his strongest stance towards Moscow since the beginning of his second term.
In contrast, Trump’s predecessor, former President Joe Biden, enacted multiple sanctions against Russia throughout his administration, including measures against its energy sector in his final days in office.
According to U.S. government statistics, total U.S. trade with Russia in 2024 was approximately $3.5 billion, a significant decrease from $36 billion in 2021, prior to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Al Jazeera correspondent Alan Fisher pointed out that Trump’s threats of “large-scale” sanctions could stem from pressure he faces to strengthen his response to Russia.
“Many believe Trump has been overly supportive of Russia, compelling Ukraine into negotiations while not exerting comparable pressure on Moscow,” Fisher noted.
“Under Biden, the U.S. has led global sanctions efforts. Since taking office, Trump has not introduced any new sanctions.”
However, it remains uncertain whether Trump will follow through on his threats, especially with an anticipated meeting with Putin in the coming months.
