President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned that sweeping economic sanctions remain on the table for Russia if President Vladimir Putin refuses to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine.
“It’s very, very serious what I have in mind, if I have to do it, but I want to see it end,” Trump said during a White House Cabinet meeting. “We have economic sanctions. I’m talking about economic because we’re not going to get into a world war.”
The Trump administration has withheld those sanctions for now, hoping to broker direct negotiations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin. While Zelensky has reportedly agreed in principle, the Kremlin has yet to signal any interest in such a meeting.
“It will not be a world war, but it will be an economic war,” Trump said. “An economic war is going to be bad, and it’s going to be bad for Russia, and I don’t want that.”
Trump also made clear that he believes responsibility for the ongoing conflict isn’t solely on Moscow, remarking, “Zelensky is not exactly innocent, either.”
Tariffs and Economic Leverage
The president reiterated his preference for economic pressure over military engagement, hinting at new tariffs aimed at disrupting Russia’s global financial lifelines. He said he is preparing to impose a 25% tariff hike on Indian exports to the U.S. as punishment for New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil.
India remains one of the largest importers of Russian energy.
Trump left the door open to broader economic retaliation, stating he may consider “a very strong tariff system that’s very costly to Russia or Ukraine” as part of his pressure campaign to force an end to hostilities.
Security Guarantees In Progress
Even as Trump pushes for direct talks, U.S. and European officials are reportedly drafting possible security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a peace deal. These could include aerial surveillance, intelligence-sharing arrangements, or defensive aid — though no formal commitments have been made.
Despite slow movement on the diplomatic front, Trump signaled that patience is running out and that the economic hammer could fall soon if Putin continues to stall.
The post Trump Still Weighing ‘Very Serious’ Economic Sanctions On Russia appeared first on Real News Now.
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