Trump warns Russia, Ukraine of “massive sanctions or tariffs” with 2-week deadline
Trump issues two-week ultimatum on Russia-Ukraine war, weighing heavy tariffs and sanctions amid faltering diplomacy.
Trump sets ultimatum on Russia-Ukraine war — sanctions, tariffs, or both
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning over the Russia-Ukraine conflict, giving both sides a two-week deadline to avoid what he described as “massive sanctions” or “massive tariffs.”
Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, Trump declared, “In two weeks, we will know which way I'm going — massive sanctions, massive tariffs, both, or do nothing and say it’s your fight.”
Peace efforts falter
Trump’s remarks come as hopes for a Russia-Ukraine summit fade. Moscow dismissed talk of high-level negotiations, while Kyiv accused the Kremlin of deliberately stalling peace efforts. Earlier in the week, Trump hinted that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might meet, but on Friday he likened their dynamic to “oil and vinegar.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that “no meeting is planned,” while Zelensky accused Moscow of “wriggling out of negotiations.”
Pressure on Moscow — and beyond
The Trump administration is weighing new trade measures to curtail Russia’s war financing. His trade adviser, Peter Navarro, alleged that India is acting as a “laundromat for the Kremlin,” refining Russian oil and reselling it worldwide. New Delhi strongly rejected the claim, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar calling the logic “perplexing” and stressing that imports are essential for India’s energy security.
Trump, sporting a red “Trump Was Right About Everything” cap, hinted at further engagement with Moscow if progress is made. He even mentioned a possible invitation for Putin to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S.
Security guarantees for Ukraine unresolved
While Trump claimed that Russia had signaled openness to “some Western security guarantees” for Ukraine, Lavrov dismissed the proposal as “a road to nowhere.” Zelensky, appearing alongside NATO’s Mark Rutte in Kyiv, argued that only foreign troops and firm security guarantees could deter future Russian aggression.
The war — now in its fourth year — has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. Ukraine cites Russia’s breach of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum as proof that strong international guarantees are non-negotiable, while Moscow continues to oppose any NATO involvement in Ukraine.
