Trump might put sanctions on Russia

President Trump is eyeing sanctions against Moscow this week as he grows frustrated by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s continued attacks on Ukraine and the slow pace of peace talks, according to people familiar with Trump’s thinking.

The restrictions likely wouldn’t include new banking sanctions, but other options are under discussion to pressure Putin into concessions at the negotiating table. The President had recently called Putin “crazy” in response to Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine.

Specifically, Trump criticized Moscow’s continued aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities on Sunday, signaling his frustration over the stalled peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, just a week after he had a phone call with Putin, and both sides had agreed to “immediately” start direct talks.

Trump criticized Putin for “needlessly killing a lot of people,” and called him out for “launching missiles and drones [that] are being shot into cities in Ukraine for no reason whatsoever.”

The President reiterated that he believes Putin wants “ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it,” but warned that doing so will “lead to the downfall of Russia.” While boarding Air Force One in New Jersey on Sunday, Trump told reporters that he was not happy with what Putin was doing.

While Trump has indicated that he may put sanctions on Russia at some point, it is very possible that Putin might do something that “shows” Trump that he is serious about peace, and escape sanctions.

At the moment, it is impossible to know how this war will resolve, and what input President Trump will have on its developments.