Donald Trump makes major threat to Russia ahead of call with Vladimir Putin | World | News
Donald Trump is willing to sanction Russia if tomorrow’s call with the Vladimir Putin goes “badly”, the White House has confirmed. The US President told reporters today onboard Air Force One that he was due to speak to Putin on Tuesday about a potential ceasefire in Ukraine. He said: “A lot of work’s been done over the weekend; we want to see if we can bring that war to an end. Maybe we can, maybe we can’t, but I think we have a very good chance.”
Trump had vowed to end the war in Ukraine on the first day of his presidency and the conflict has dominated a significant portion of his two months in office. In that time, the US administration has taken a tough stance towards Kyiv, removing military aid and blocking allies from sharing intelligence with Ukraine in an attempt to force them to the negotiating table.
Many have asked if the US President was willing to take the same approach with the Kremlin, with Trump talking regularly about his strong relationship with the Russian autocrat.
Last week, a damning European intelligence report has claimed Russia sees US President Donald Trump as “weak” and “open to manipulation”.
The White House however have said that the former Apprentice star is prepared to take strong action if Russia refuses to engage in a march towards peace.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, told reporters: “It’s something the president has floated, and certainly he’s willing to do if necessary,” when asked if Trump is willing to impose fresh sanctions on Russia.”
Leavitt added that peace in Ukraine was as close as now as at any point since the start of the conflict.
She added: “We are on the 10th-yard line of peace and we’ve never been closer to a peace deal than we are in this moment.
“The president is determined to get one done.”
Speaking in a press conference last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that he was open to the possibility of a cessation in fighting, despite previous comments that any pause could backfire on his country. He did, however, add the caveat that he first needed to speak with Washington before any agreement could be reached.
Of the potential talk between the two leaders, Steve Witkoff who visited the Kremlin last week in his role as Trump’s envoy told CNN: “I think the two presidents are going to have a really good and positive discussion this week.
“This is a highly… complicated situation, and yet we’re bridging the gap between two sides… Mr Trump really expects there to be some sort of deal in the coming weeks, maybe, and I believe that’s the case.”
