Trump threatens new Russia sanctions after strikes on Ukraine

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump on March 7 threatened new sanctions and tariffs on Russia over its bombardments of Ukraine, after previously suspending US aid to Kyiv in a stated bid to encourage diplomacy.

But in comments later on March 7, he said

it was “easier” to work with Russia than Ukraine

in efforts to end the war.

Mr Trump’s warning to Moscow, published on his Truth Social platform, came hours after Russia launched

a “massive” drone and missile attack

on Ukrainian energy facilities on March 7.

“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 ceasefire and final settlement agreement on peace is reached,” Mr Trump wrote.

“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late,” he added.

Mr Kevin Hassett, director of the President’s National Economic Council, echoed this message in comments to reporters on March 7.

“President Trump is adamant that we need to get everybody to the table, and we could do that with carrots, and we can do that with sticks,” he said.

Talking to reporters on March 7 after his post online, Mr Trump said he trusted Russian President Vladimir Putin. “I believe him,” he said.

“I’m finding it more difficult frankly to deal with Ukraine and they don’t have the cards,” he said. “It may be easier dealing with Russia.”

‘Force Russia to stop’

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to land in Saudi Arabia on March 10 for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The visit comes a day before Ukrainian officials are expected to hold fresh talks with their US counterparts in the Middle Eastern kingdom.

Earlier on March 7, he renewed calls for a mutual halt to aerial attacks on critical infrastructure following the latest Russian barrage.

The Ukrainian leader said the first steps to establishing real peace should be stopping both Russian and Ukrainian aerial and naval attacks.

This latest proposal builds on growing rhetoric from Kyiv, Washington and Moscow on halting the war, now in its fourth year.

Ukraine’s allies abroad have voiced support for Mr Zelensky’s truce proposal, and on March 7, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who recently hosted the Ukrainian leader, also gave it his backing.

The Kremlin has previously ruled out a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine.

Air and sea truce

Russia’s Defence Ministry confirmed on March 7 it had carried out “precision” strikes on energy facilities.

The Ukrainian Air Force said it had deployed French Mirage fighter jets – delivered to Ukraine in February – for the first time to repel the aerial onslaught.

They said the fighter jets along with air defence units shot down 34 of the missiles and 100 drones.

DTEK, the largest private energy supplier in Ukraine, said its facilities in the Black Sea region of Odesa had been targeted for a fourth successive night.

Its gas facilities in the central Poltava region had “ceased operations” after being struck in the overnight attack, it added.

State gas company Naftogaz said its production facilities had been damaged, and the authorities in at least five Ukrainian regions said Russia had targeted energy facilities.

The latest Russian air assault came after European Union leaders, shaken by the prospect of US disengagement, agreed to boost the bloc’s defences.

US, Ukrainian officials to meet

EU chiefs on March 7 briefed several Nato partners – including Britain and Turkey – about the outcome of a meeting of the bloc’s leaders on defence in Brussels a day earlier.

“Our cooperation with like-minded Nato partners is vital for international security. For Ukraine. For stepping up our joint efforts on defence,” Mr Antonio Costa, who heads the European Council of EU states, said in a post on X.

Washington said talks with Kyiv were back on track to secure a ceasefire with Moscow – after a public falling out between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky on Feb 28.

US envoy Steve Witkoff said he would speak to Ukrainian negotiators about an “initial ceasefire” with Russia and a “framework” for a longer agreement.

Ukraine’s Energy Minister German Galushchenko said Russia was trying to “hurt ordinary Ukrainians by shelling energy and gas production facilities”.

Five civilians were killed and nine wounded in Russian strikes in the Donetsk region, the prosecutor’s office there announced on March 7.

Eight people were wounded in a strike on Kharkiv on March 7, city officials said. AFP