President Donald Trump is weighing new sanctions on Russia following a recent wave of deadly attacks in Ukraine and the Kremlin’s failure to deliver a promised peace memorandum. The situation highlights the Trump administration’s growing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite a direct phone call meant to restart peace efforts.
Russia’s Delayed “Memorandum of Peace”
During a phone call last week, Putin reportedly agreed to send a “memorandum of peace” outlining Russia’s conditions for a ceasefire with Ukraine. But over a week later, the U.S. has yet to receive this document, raising doubts about Russia’s intentions.
According to White House sources, the delay has fueled Trump’s anger and impatience. On social media, the president wrote, “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!”
Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, added pressure by publicly reminding Russia to submit the memo they had promised. In a sharp exchange with Russian official Dmitry Medvedev, Kellogg warned against threats of World War III and insisted that peace negotiations must move forward.
Sanctions on the Table – But Not Yet Signed
Although the Trump administration has drafted options for further sanctions, the president has not yet signed off. Trump has privately said he’s worried that additional sanctions could derail peace talks.
Still, frustration is mounting. Speaking about Putin’s recent missile and drone attacks, Trump said, “He’s killing a lot of people. I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”
Possible sanctions being considered include:
- New banking restrictions
- Secondary sanctions targeting countries that purchase Russian oil and gas
- Massive tariffs—as high as 500%—on nations that continue energy trade with Russia
Strong Bipartisan Pressure on Trump
Members of Congress from both parties are urging Trump to act. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Lindsey Graham are behind a bipartisan bill that includes crippling new sanctions on Moscow, backed by more than 80 senators.
European allies including France, Britain, and Germany also support tougher measures. However, Trump told European leaders in a recent call that he would hold off, believing that keeping diplomatic channels open is still crucial.
Sen. Marco Rubio, who also spoke with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, told lawmakers that Trump sees value in keeping negotiations alive but emphasized that no guarantees exist.
Ukraine and Allies Growing Weary
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of “playing games” with peace talks, echoing international doubts about Putin’s sincerity.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed hope that Trump’s frustration would lead to tougher U.S. action, saying, “When Putin says he’s ready for peace, he lies.”
Russia Says Memo Still in Progress
On Tuesday, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said the peace memo is still being prepared. It will include key terms such as:
- Basic principles for peace
- A proposed timeline for negotiations
- Conditions for a temporary ceasefire
Moscow also claimed that Ukraine should be preparing a similar document to exchange proposals simultaneously.
What’s Next?
If the Kremlin delivers the memo and Ukraine responds constructively, it could reignite diplomatic momentum. But if Russian aggression continues, and no concrete steps toward peace are taken, Trump may be forced to move ahead with long-discussed sanctions.
The world is watching closely as tensions rise and peace efforts hang in the balance.