Kathmandu. Us President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Russian Vladimir Putin that he was “playing with fire” as Washington considered new sanctions against Moscow over the Ukraine war.
Trump’s latest attack shows his frustration at the suspension of ceasefire talks, two days after he called Putin “completely crazy” after a major drone strike in Ukraine.
Moscow responded to a growing Ukrainian attack on its citizens to attack Ukraine in February 2022, accusing Kiev of trying to “disrupt” peace efforts. Diplomatic efforts to end the war have intensified in recent weeks, but Putin has been accused of stalling peace talks.
“Vladimir Putin doesn’t know that if it weren’t for me, a lot of bad things would have happened in Russia, and I mean really bad. He’s playing with fire!” Trump said on his Truth social network. Trump did not specify what those “really bad” things were.
But both the Wall Street Journal and CNN said Trump was now considering new sanctions this week. Trump told reporters on Sunday that he was “fully” weighing the move.
The White House said it had kept “all options” open. “This war is Joe Biden’s mistake, and President Trump is clear that he wants to see a negotiated peace deal. President Trump has wisely put all options on the table,” Press Secretary Carolyn Levitt said. Trump’s Democratic predecessor, Biden, imposed sweeping sanctions after russia’s attack. Trump has so far ignored the possibility of imposing “devastating” sanctions on Russian banks as he says. But Trump’s recent rebukes have shown a sharp shift from his earlier attitude toward Putin.
Trump often speaks with praise for Putin. His frustration over failing to end the war that he could resolve within 24 hours was shattered over the weekend when Russian drones killed at least 13 people. “I’ve always had a good relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but something has happened to him. He’s completely mad!”, Trump wrote in the post.
Despite Trump’s phone call eight days ago saying Putin agreed to start talks immediately, Russia continued its attack. Moscow did not respond to Trump’s comments on Tuesday, but it first sought to blame Ukraine for the standoff.
“Kiev has taken a series of provocative steps to thwart talks initiated by Russia with the support of some European countries,” the Russian Defence Ministry said. Civilians, including women and children, have been injured in a Ukrainian drone attack. Russian air defence destroyed 2,331 Ukrainian drones between May 20 and 27. New drone attacks were also reported on Wednesday night. Russian authorities intercepted about 150 Ukrainian drones. Of them, 33 were heading to Moscow.
Ukraine says it is Russia that targets civilians. “We have to end this eternal wait – Russia needs more sanctions,” Andriy Yermac, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said in telegram on Tuesday.
Us lawmakers have urged Trump to impose sanctions on Russia. Senior Republican Senator Chuck Grassley called for tougher measures to inform Putin that “the game is over.” Two other Senators, Republican Lindsey Graham and Democrat Richard Blumenthal, have also called for heavy “secondary” sanctions on countries buying Russian oil, gas and raw materials. “The next peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, if so, will probably take place in Geneva because Moscow rejects the Vatican as a venue,” Trump’s Ukrainian envoy Keith Kellogg told Fox News. The next goal would be to bring Together Trump, Putin and Zelensky to “sort it out,” he said.
The Swiss government has not confirmed that the talks will be held. “Switzerland is ready to offer its good offices,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, adding that it was in touch with all parties. Russia and Ukraine held direct talks in Istanbul for the first time in more than three years in early May.
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