A few days ago, news emerged that the United States was designing a plan to possibly reduce sanctions on Russia, while President Donald Trump seeks to rebuild ties with Moscow and end the war in Ukraine, according to a U.S. official informed Reuters.
However, today, President Trump confirmed that he is strongly considering increasing sanctions and tariffs on Russia, with the aim of pressuring Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiating table.
On his official Truth Social account, the U.S. president stated: "Considering that Russia is 'pounding' Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I'm seriously considering the possibility of applying banking sanctions, large-scale sanctions, and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and a FINAL PEACE AGREEMENT are reached".
"Russia and Ukraine must sit at the negotiating table right now, before it's too late. Thank you!!!", concluded Trump, who seeks to pressure both sides to achieve a ceasefire and the end of the war.
Donald Trump, presidente de Estados Unidos.
Days earlier, it was known that Trump's team was working on a proposal to lift restrictions on certain Russian entities and individuals, including some businessmen close to Putin.
Russia is one of the world's leading oil producers, and if the United States reduced the sanctions imposed on its energy sector, it could help prevent an increase in fuel prices in case Trump adopts strict measures against crude exports from the Iranian regime.
The Kremlin described last year the bilateral relationship as "below zero" during the Democratic administration of Joe Biden. However, Trump, who promised a quick end to the conflict, immediately changed U.S. policy to open negotiations with Moscow.
Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin y Volodímir Zelensky.
This shift began with a phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 12, followed by meetings between officials from both countries in Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.
Since the start of the invasion in 2022, U.S. sanctions against Russia have included restrictions aimed at reducing revenue from its massive hydrocarbon industry and limiting its ability to finance the war.
The Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, stated in an interview with Bloomberg Television on February 20 that Russia could benefit from economic relief depending on how negotiations develop in the coming weeks.
