Russia under threat of sanctions from Trump after attack on Ukraine
President Donald Trump has threatened to impose “large scale” sanctions against Russia following a massive attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he was “strongly considering” sanctions and tariffs until a ceasefire and final settlement agreement on peace is reached.
National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett emphasized that Trump is prepared to use both carrots and sticks to bring both Russia and Ukraine to the negotiating table. When asked for more details on what could be sanctioned, Hassett simply stated that there are “a heck of a lot of things” that could be targeted.
Reports indicate that in the overnight attack, Russia fired 67 missiles and 194 drones, hitting Ukraine’s energy and gas infrastructure. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko condemned the attack as “energy terror,” noting that this is not the first time Russia has targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
In response to the attack, President Trump issued a message to both Ukraine and Russia, urging them to come to the table for peace talks before it is too late. The attack appeared to be a response to Ukraine’s confirmation that they would participate in peace talks with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia next week.
Despite previous tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the two leaders seem to have reconciled, with Trump reading a letter from Zelenskyy during his address to a joint session of Congress. Trump expressed his desire to see the “savage conflict” come to an end and emphasized the importance of working towards peace.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen what specific sanctions and measures Trump will implement against Russia in response to the attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. The international community will be closely watching to see how this conflict progresses and whether diplomatic efforts can lead to a resolution.
