Trump threatens sanctions if Russia fails to comply to ceasefire

US President Donald Trump has revitalised diplomatic efforts to end the war in Ukraine, warning of potential sanctions if Russian forces fail to comply to a ceasefire.

US Senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally, said earlier this month that he has bipartisan support for a bill that would enact “bone-crushing” new sanctions on Russia including a 500 per cent tariff on imports from countries that buy Russian oil, petroleum products, natural gas or uranium, Caliber.Az reports per Bloomberg. 

European leaders have echoed this sentiment, threatening further economic pressure if Russia fails to adhere to the ceasefire demands. The move comes as Russia’s military continues its bombardment of Ukraine, with recent drone strikes hitting Kyiv and other cities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a critical diplomatic mission for May 15, travelling to Istanbul for proposed direct talks with Putin. Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for negotiations, stressing Ukraine’s readiness to end the war. 

“I will be in Türkiye this Thursday [May 15],” Zelenskyy said late on May 11 in his daily address to Ukrainians. “I hope that this time, Putin won’t be looking for excuses as to why he can’t make it. We are ready to talk, to end this war.”

On the eve of the ceasefire deadline, European leaders—including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British leader Keir Starmer—met in Kyiv to reinforce their support for Ukraine. They warned that new sanctions would be implemented if Russia did not halt its attacks. Macron held follow-up discussions with Zelenskyy and Trump over the weekend, coordinating next steps in the diplomatic push.

While the US has expressed support for the European position, Trump’s public statements have been less definitive. The US president has called for immediate negotiations, urging both Putin and Zelenskyy to sit down and discuss a ceasefire. Despite his private backing of tougher sanctions, Trump’s rhetoric remains measured, leaving questions about his commitment to pushing for dramatic new penalties.

Türkiye is set to host the upcoming talks in Istanbul. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope that the negotiations could lead to a "permanent solution," while Putin indicated that Moscow would enter discussions "without preconditions." However, Putin has made it clear that any peace deal must recognise Russia’s territorial gains, including the four Ukrainian regions annexed in 2022, a sticking point that could derail progress.

By Sabina Mammadli