After weeks of mixed signals toward Russia, former U.S. President Donald Trump has now warned of imposing strict sanctions, including on Russia’s banking sector, in response to its ongoing attacks on Ukraine.
“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social. He urged both Russia and Ukraine to “get to the table right now, before it is too late.”
This comes after a tense Oval Office meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Vice President JD Vance, which reportedly ended with Zelensky being asked to leave. Since then, the U.S. has halted intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia intensified its aerial assault on Ukraine, striking energy infrastructure across multiple regions. Ukrainian officials reported missile and drone attacks that killed at least two people in Kherson and injured several others in Poltava. Damage was also reported in Kharkiv, Odesa, and Ternopil.
Ukraine’s state-owned Naftogaz confirmed that its gas production facilities were hit, marking the 17th large-scale attack on its infrastructure, as Russia continues targeting critical energy supplies amid the harsh winter.
