U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 7th (local time) that tariffs and sanctions on banks could be imposed on Russia until a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine is reached. This marks a departure from previously pressuring only Ukraine while siding with Russia.
According to Reuters, Trump wrote on his social media (SNS) platform, Truth Social, that he is considering strong measures including large-scale banking sanctions, financial sanctions, and tariffs against Russia, which is currently hitting Ukraine hard on the battlefield, until a final agreement on a ceasefire and peace is reached. He added, "Russia and Ukraine should sit at the negotiation table right now before it's too late."
In this regard, Reuters reported, citing sources, that the U.S. Treasury is reviewing the possibility of sanctions against large Russian oil companies and refining service companies. This is a deepening of the actions taken by the previous Biden administration in January.
All along, Trump has pressured Ukraine regarding the end of the war with Russia. He has blamed Ukraine for starting the war and referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as "a dictator who is not holding elections." Last month, he admonished Zelensky at the White House, saying he "should recognize his gratitude." Ultimately, after a mineral agreement with Ukraine fell through, Trump halted military support to Ukraine, and with Zelensky's declaration of willingness to negotiate, a high-level meeting between the U.S. and Ukraine is set to be held in Saudi Arabia on the 11th.
In this situation, Russia intensified its offensive against Ukraine, and major foreign media reported on the 7th that the Trump administration is planning to ease sanctions on Russia in order to improve diplomatic and economic relations. Trump told reporters at the White House on the 7th that "they (Russia) are currently bombing (Ukraine)" while acknowledging that the U.S. recognizes that "Ukraine is suffering tremendous hits." However, when asked if Russian President Vladimir Putin is taking advantage of the U.S. halt in military assistance to Ukraine, he said, "Anyone in Putin's position would do the same."
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) interpreted that Trump's mention of sanctions against Russia on the 7th appears to be due to Russia's offensive against Ukraine. The New York Times (NYT) also noted that the intensifying Russian offensive against Ukraine, which has resulted in civilian casualties, will be another turning point for Trump.
Meanwhile, on the night of the 7th, Russia launched multiple airstrikes in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk, resulting in at least 11 deaths and over 40 injuries. Two Russian ballistic missiles struck the area, destroying 8 dwellings and a shopping center. The offensive continued on the 8th. On that day, Russia attacked a civilian workplace in Kharkiv, Ukraine, killing 3 and injuring 7. Additionally, Russia conducted airstrikes on Ukrainian energy facilities with dozens of missiles and drones, resulting in reduced heating, electricity supply, and power supply capacity of weapon factories in Ukraine.