Trump Signals Possible Additional Sanctions if Putin Refuses Ukraine Peace Talks

US President Donald Trump indicated on January 21 that he is likely to impose new sanctions on Russia if Vladimir Putin refuses to engage in negotiations over its invasion of Ukraine, according to CNN.

When asked if he would impose additional sanctions on Russia should Putin refuse to negotiate, Trump responded, “Sounds likely.”

“We’re talking to Zelenskyy. We‘re going to be talking with President Putin very soon, and we’ll see what — how it all happens,” Trump said while criticizing the European Union for not contributing enough to support Ukraine’s defense.

On January 20, shortly after his inauguration, Trump stated that Putin must engage in negotiations to end Russia’s war against Ukraine.

“He should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal. I think Russia’s going to be in big trouble. Most people thought that war would have been over in one week. I think he’d be very well off to end that war,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

Zelenskyy wants peace, Trump remarked, adding, “But it takes two to tango. We’ll see what happens.”

Additionally, Trump confirmed that he had discussed Russia’s war in Ukraine during a recent phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

On Monday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated Trump on his inauguration as the 47th President of the United States. At the same time, he emphasized that the peace through strength policy Trump announced provides an opportunity to achieve a long-term and just peace, which is the top priority.