WASHINGTON — President Trump threatened massive sanctions against Russia Friday over its continued attacks on Ukraine as he attempts to broker a cease-fire — before predicting later in the day that Vladimir Putin would be “more generous than he has to be” in peace talks.
“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”
Trump, 78, has sought to pressure both sides to end the war and his aides are due to meet next week with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.
Later Friday, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he thought Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was too resistant to making peace.
“I think we’re doing very well with Russia, and right now they’re bombing the hell out of Ukraine. I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine — and they don’t have the cards,” Trump said.
“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 got to get on the ball and get a job done,” the president added.
On Thursday, Russia launched 194 drones — the second-most in a single night since the war began, after the 267 fired at Ukraine Feb. 23 — and 67 missiles, the most projectiles in recent memory, according to Kyiv’s State Emergency Services and the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War.
At least five Ukrainian civilians have been killed in Russian drone strikes since Tuesday, while more than 30 others have been wounded.
“I actually think [Putin] is doing what anybody else would do,” the president said in the Oval Office.
Although Trump had hours earlier threatened steep penalties on Russia, he then predicted that Putin would be magnanimous in ending the invasion he launched in February 2022 in a bid to regain control of the former Soviet republic.
“Despite the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax, I’ve always had a good relationship with Putin. And you know, he wants to end the war. He wants to end it, and I think he’s going to be more generous than he has to be. And that’s pretty good,” Trump said.
