President Donald Trump on Friday threatened new sanctions against Russia, including the banking sector, in response to Moscow’s continued bombardment of Ukraine.
The new threat was notable after weeks of reconciliatory statements against Russia and its president Vladimir Putin, he said he was open to lifting sanctions.
Now, Trump says he can slap new, tougher sanctions against Russia in his bid to end the war.
“Currently, based on the fact that Russia is now “flapping” Ukraine on the battlefield, I am strongly considering tariffs and tariffs on Russia until we reach a major bank sanctions, sanctions and a final settlement agreement on Russia and peace,” Trump wrote of the True Society.
“I’ll go to Russia and Ukraine to the table right now before it’s too late. Thank you!!!” he continued.
It’s been a week since the oval office exploded between Trump, Ukrainian President Voldymee Zelensky and Vice President J.D. Vance, which led to Zelensky being told to leave the White House. The United States has since suspended intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine.
On the battlefield: Russian forces launched a deadly air attack on Ukraine overnight, targeting energy facilities across the country, Ukrainian authorities said on Friday.
The missile and drone strikes killed at least two people and injured seven others in the South Herson area, officials said. Two people were injured in the central Poltava area.
Damages to residential buildings and energy facilities have been reported, including Khalkiv in the east, Odesa in the south, and Ternopil in western Ukraine.
Naftgaz, the Ukrainian state-run oil and gas company, said in a statement that the attack damaged natural gas production facilities.
Naftogaz said Friday’s strike was the 17th missile and drone attack on the facility. This is the latest barrage of almost day air attacks aimed at weakening Ukraine’s defenses and lowering the country’s energy infrastructure during the harsh winter.
CNN’s Daria Tarasova-Markina contributed a report to this post.