Trump Considers Sanctions as Putin Defies Peace Push
Trump may impose new sanctions on Russia after largest aerial assault on Ukraine.
President Donald Trump is weighing sanctions against Russia following a wave of missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities that defied his calls for restraint. On Sunday, Russia launched its largest-ever aerial assault—over 350 drones and multiple cruise missiles—mere hours after Trump suggested progress on ceasefire talks.
“He’s killing a lot of people,” Trump said of Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him.” The remark signals a sharp pivot from Trump’s earlier confidence in his personal rapport with the Kremlin leader.
Sanctions and Ceasefire Fatigue
Sources close to the administration say Trump is exploring non-banking sanctions and pressuring Russia into a 30-day ceasefire backed by Kyiv. However, Trump is reportedly growing weary of the negotiation process and may abandon it entirely if no breakthrough is reached soon.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed all options remain on the table but declined to specify whether military support would continue if the peace talks collapsed.
Amid rising tensions, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed that Germany, the U.S., France, and the UK have lifted geographical limits on the use of long-range weapons supplied to Ukraine. Kyiv can now legally strike deep into Russian territory using Storm Shadow, Scalp, ATACMS, and Taurus cruise missiles.
The shift in policy comes as Europe recalibrates its strategy without guaranteed U.S. backing. Putin, for his part, labeled the new missile deliveries “dangerous” and blamed Ukraine for recent bombings inside Russian territory.