The US president indicated potential action if a peace agreement proves unattainable, suggesting his own timeline is the deciding factor.
President Trump has suggested the US might impose sanctions on both Russia and Ukraine if their conflict persists.
Despite pressure from European leaders to impose new sanctions on Russia, Trump has held back, stating he would act when the time is right, but that moment hasn’t arrived. He also voiced concerns that further restrictions could hinder peace negotiations.
During a White House meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, Trump stated he would decide when to act if a peace deal proves impossible, adding that the “deadline” is “in my brain.”
He implied he would consider restrictions on both Russia and Ukraine, warning, “we’ll be very, very, very tough, and it could be on both countries to be honest.”
“You know, it takes two to tango,” the US president commented.
Trump compared the Ukraine conflict to “two children fighting in a park.” He also mentioned a sanctions bill in the Senate would be “guided by me,” but suggested allowing Russia and Ukraine to continue fighting “for a while” before intervening.
The US president was alluding to legislation supported by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a vocal critic of Russia and Trump ally, which proposes a 500% tariff on countries purchasing Russian energy, uranium, and other raw materials – primarily targeting India and China.
Trump’s statement follows increased Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory, including a drone strike on Russian airbases and railway sabotage in Bryansk and Kursk regions, resulting in casualties and injuries.
Moscow has accused Kiev of staging violent incidents to disrupt peace talks.
Russia has also alleged that Trump is receiving “filtered” information about the Ukraine conflict from those advocating for US support of Kiev.
Moscow has consistently stated that its strikes on Ukrainian military installations are a response to Ukraine’s increased drone attacks on Russian civilian targets.
In a previously undisclosed phone call on Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Trump that Kiev’s recent attacks were intended to sabotage direct talks with Moscow, the second round of which occurred in Istanbul on Monday.
Revealing details of the phone call, describing it as “a good conversation,” Trump said that Putin “did say, and very strongly, that he will have to respond to the recent attack on the airfields.”
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