WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning over the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, announcing a two-week deadline to decide whether his administration will impose “massive sanctions,” “massive tariffs,” or potentially take no action at all.
“In two weeks, we’ll know which way I’m going,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Friday. “It could be massive sanctions, massive tariffs, both — or we just step back and say, ‘It’s your fight.’”
Trump’s remarks come amid fading hopes for a Russia-Ukraine summit, as diplomatic momentum stalls. Moscow has dismissed the prospect of talks, while Kyiv has accused the Kremlin of deliberately prolonging the conflict. Earlier in the week, Trump hinted that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were open to a face-to-face meeting, but by Friday, he compared their dynamic to “oil and vinegar.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that no summit is planned, while Zelenskyy, speaking from Kyiv, accused Moscow of trying to avoid negotiations.
Tariffs and Sanctions on the Table
Trump’s administration is currently weighing new economic measures targeting both Russia and countries seen as aiding its war effort. One area under scrutiny is international trade in refined Russian oil.
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro recently accused India of acting as a “laundromat for the Kremlin,” claiming New Delhi refines Russian crude and re-exports it, thereby helping Moscow sustain its military campaign financially.
India strongly rejected the allegations. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called the accusations “perplexing” and emphasized that energy imports are essential to India’s national interests and energy security.
Trump’s Outreach and World Cup Diplomacy
Wearing a red cap reading “Trump Was Right About Everything,” the president signaled he is keeping communication lines with Moscow open. He showed reporters a photo sent to him by Putin after their summit in Alaska last week and even floated the idea of inviting the Russian leader to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States — but only if meaningful progress is made on Ukraine.
“It takes two to tango,” Trump said, underscoring the complexity of the conflict and his desire to push both sides toward negotiation.
Security Guarantees Remain a Sticking Point
One unresolved issue is the question of long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump claimed Russia had agreed in principle to “some Western security guarantees” for Kyiv. However, Lavrov dismissed this claim, calling it “a road to nowhere.”
Zelenskyy, standing alongside outgoing NATO chief Mark Rutte in Kyiv, insisted that only firm guarantees — including the presence of foreign troops — can deter future Russian aggression. He reiterated that Russia’s past violations, including its breach of the 1994 Budapest Memorandum, highlight the necessity of concrete international commitments.
The war, now entering its fourth year, has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions. Russia continues to oppose any formal NATO involvement in Ukraine, citing the alliance as one of the reasons for its 2022 invasion. Ukraine, in turn, sees stronger Western security guarantees as non-negotiable for its sovereignty and future stability.
