Trump eyes sanctions on Russia, calls for peace talks
Donald Trump stated on the Truth Social platform that he is "definitely" considering imposing large-scale banking sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire is reached and a final peace agreement is achieved.
"Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely "pounding" Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED. To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!" - wrote Trump.
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that on March 10, he will visit Saudi Arabia. After his visit, the Ukrainian team will remain there to hold talks with U.S. representatives about peace in Ukraine. "The agenda includes Ukraine-U.S. bilateral relations, our strategic partnership, and its further development. And, of course, at the center of the discussion is the path to peace," Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Heorhiy Tykhyi stated.
Tykhyi emphasized that Ukraine has not received any information about Russia's participation in the meeting. "We have not received such information. As far as we know, the negotiations in Saudi Arabia are meant to be bilateral Ukraine-U.S. consultations, a meeting, and a dialogue," he added.
Suspension of aid to Ukraine
On Monday, the U.S. President announced the suspension of military aid to Ukraine.
- The president has been clear that he is focused on peace. We need our partners to be committed to that goal as well. We are pausing and reviewing our aid to ensure that it is contributing to a solution - a White House representative stated.
The announcement of the suspension of aid came just a few hours after U.S. President Donald Trump publicly claimed that "he wasn't even discussing it." Once again, in recent days, he accused the Ukrainian president of not wanting peace - allegedly in contrast to Vladimir Putin.
