‘Could do things very bad for Russia’: Trump warns Putin amid Ukraine ceasefire talks

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump (R)

As negotiations efforts over potential ceasefire in Ukraine sped-up, US President Donald Trump on Thursday issued a stark warning to Moscow, suggesting that the United States may take extreme monetary motion if Russia doesn’t comply with the proposed truce.
“In a financial sense, yeah, we could do things very bad for Russia, would be devastating for Russia,” Trump stated on Wednesday, pressurising the Kremlin to simply accept the deal.

Trump confirmed that US negotiators had been already en path to Russia for talks. “People are going to Russia right now as we speak. And hopefully we can get a ceasefire from Russia,” he informed reporters within the Oval Office throughout a gathering with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.

Ukraine had earlier agreed to a US-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal after breakthrough discussions with American officers in Saudi Arabia.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remained skeptical, saying that he nonetheless doesn’t belief Russia. The Kremlin, in the meantime, stated it was nonetheless ready for Washington to offer particulars on the plan.
Despite the specter of financial retaliation, Trump expressed hope for a diplomatic decision. “I don’t want to do that because I want to get peace,” he stated.
While Trump’s stance towards Moscow appeared measured, his method to Ukraine had been extra forceful in latest weeks.
On February 28, he abruptly halted army support to Kyiv following a heated confrontation with Zelenskyy within the Oval Office, an argument that performed out in entrance of tv cameras.
Assistance was solely resumed on Tuesday after Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire plan and a deal granting the US preferential entry to the nation’s pure assets.
The subsequent step hinges on Russia’s response. “It’s up to Russia now,” Trump stated. “I’ve gotten some positive messages, but a positive message means nothing. This is a very serious situation, it could start World War Three.”
Vice President JD Vance talked about that discussions between US and Russian officers would proceed each “on the phone and in person” over the subsequent two days.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that particular envoy Steve Witkoff—who has performed a key function in negotiations on each Ukraine and Gaza—would journey to Moscow later this week. National safety advisor Mike Waltz additionally spoke together with his Russian counterpart on Wednesday, she stated.
“We urge the Russians to sign on to this plan,” Leavitt acknowledged, specifying {that a} ceasefire was inside attain.
“We are at the 10th yard line and the president expects the Russians to help us run this into the end zone,” she added, utilizing an American soccer analogy to explain the ultimate part of negotiations.