United States President Donald Trump on Friday said he is "strongly considering" imposing large-scale banking sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and a "final settlement agreement on peace" is reached in the ongoing Ukraine war. Hours later, he remarked that dealing with Russia would be 'easier' than dealing with Ukraine to reach a final settlement.
In a post, Trump stated, "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."
However, in a press briefing, he remarked that he was "finding it more difficult to deal with Ukraine".
"...I think we're doing very well with Russia, but right now, they are bombing the hell out of Ukraine. I am finding it more difficult to deal with Ukraine and they don't have the cards...We are meeting in Saudi Arabia sometime next week early, and we are talking. In terms of getting a final settlement, it may be easier dealing with Russia, which is surprising because they have all the cards...Ukraine has to get on the board to get the job done," he said, as per news agency ANI.
"...If they (Russia and Ukraine) don't want to settle. We are out of there. We want them to settle and I am doing it to stop death...I watched over the last week or so what's going on in Europe. This thing could end up in World War 3 if we don't get it settled. We gotta get it settled," he said in response to a poser in supplying arms to Ukraine.
This comes amid rising tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who had an acrimonious exchange in the Oval Office last week. Trump had blamed Zelenskyy for "playing with World War III" and previously referred to him as a "dictator".
Russian Missile Attack on Ukraine
According to news agency Reuters, Russian forces launched a major missile and drone attack on Ukraine overnight, damaging energy and gas infrastructure. Ukraine's air force reported that Russia fired 67 missiles and 194 drones, of which 34 missiles and 100 drones were shot down.
Regional authorities from Kharkiv in the northeast to Ternopil in the west reported damage to critical infrastructure. In Kharkiv, eight people were injured, while two others, including a child, were hurt in Poltava.
Energy Minister German Galuschenko condemned the attack, stating, "Russia continues its energy terror. Again, energy and gas infrastructure in various regions of Ukraine has come under massive missile and drone fire."
Russia has consistently targeted Ukrainian infrastructure, particularly power and gas facilities. Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, confirmed it had halted gas production in Poltava due to significant damage from the attack.
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Ukraine-US Diplomatic Crisis
The attacks came as Ukraine's relations with the US have deteriorated following the Oval Office clash. Trump, who seeks a swift end to the war, has been in talks with Russian officials through his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, regarding a peace agreement framework.
Amid these tensions, Zelenskyy has called for a partial ceasefire covering air and sea operations, a proposal initially put forward by France. "The first steps to establishing real peace should be forcing the sole source of this war, Russia, to stop such attacks," he wrote on Telegram.
Despite strained ties, Zelenskyy said Kyiv is "ready to come to the negotiating table as soon as possible" and expressed willingness to work under Trump’s leadership.
In a move towards reconciliation, Zelenskyy announced that he would travel to Saudi Arabia next Monday for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. The visit comes ahead of scheduled discussions between US and Ukrainian officials later in the week, Reuters reported.
While Ukraine has been pushing for robust security guarantees, Washington has refrained from making firm commitments, instead pointing to a potential critical minerals agreement that Trump believes would be sufficient.
On the battlefield, Russian forces continue to advance in the eastern Donetsk region, while Ukrainian troops face mounting pressure in Russia's Kursk region. According to Reuters, Military analysts warn that the suspension of US military aid and intelligence sharing could weaken Ukraine's air defences, as it runs low on advanced missiles.
The trajectory of US-Ukraine relations and the prospect of negotiations remain uncertain as both sides attempt to reconcile their differing perspectives for ending the three-year war.