Cracks in Trump-Putin relation? US warns of sanctions against Russia as Ukraine war rages

United States President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose new banking sanctions, and tariffs on Russia over its intensified attacks on Ukraine. 

"Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely 'pounding' Ukraine on the battleground 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," Trump wrote on social media. 

Also read | JD Vance reveals how his remark triggered Zelenskyy at Oval Office. The rest is history

Trump's statement came after Russia's drone and missile strike on Ukraine's energy grid. 

Also read | Is Trump risking US national security to woo Putin? US no longer sees Russia as major cyber threat, tweaks foreign policy

Trump has urged both Russia and Ukraine to negotiate terms and end the ongoing war. 

The US president's new threat to Russia came after it paused military aid and intelligence to Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's blowout with Trump in Washington. 

Also read | US ‘destroying’ world order, says Ukraine’s UK envoy as Kyiv tries to mend Zelenskyy-Trump relations

"To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late," wrote Trump. 

Reportedly, the United States was gearing to give relief on the sanctions imposed on Russia as part of the negotiating deal to end the war and improve the diplomatic relations between both nations. 

US sanctions on Russia include measures aimed at limiting its oil and gas revenues, Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. 

With a shift in US-Russia relations, Ukraine has expressed concerns regarding its security. At the European summit in London, the UK and France agreed to work with Ukraine to find a peace deal to present to Washington in order to end the war. 

Kyiv has been making efforts to mend its relations with the US after Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance openly accused Zelenskyy of not showing gratitude for US military support during his visit to the Oval Office. 

Following the White House showdown, the UK called for a crucial summit of the European allies in order to find a solution to end the war.