Trump says he’s delaying new Russia sanctions to keep Ukraine talks alive
The US president says he will ‘let you know in about two weeks’ if Putin is actually interested in a peace deal
US President Donald Trump said he was delaying on new sanctions against Russia to preserve the chance for a deal with President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
“If I think I’m close to getting a deal, I don’t want to screw it up by doing that,” Trump said on Wednesday at the White House. “Let me tell you, I’m a lot tougher than the people you’re talking about.”
Asked by a reporter if Putin is interested in a peace deal, Trump said: “I can’t tell you that, but I’ll let you know in about two weeks.”
Trump has shown growing frustration with his Russian counterpart for days, threatening new sanctions after Moscow launched its largest drone barrage of the war.
The president has been facing pressure from European allies and Republicans in Congress to follow through with financial penalties on Russia.
“I’ve had enuf of Putin killing innocent ppl. Pres Trump Take action AT LEAST SANCTIONS,” long-time Republican Senator Chuck Grassley posted Monday on social media.
“Pres Trump shld take the decisive action agst Putin that he takes agst Harvard,” Grassley said in another post. “Sanctions for Putin like no fed grants for Harvard.”