Trump-backed sanctions would block Russia from financing its war agains Ukraine
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
After August 8, Donald Trump's new devastating tariffs and sanctions will leave Russia without friends or trading partners, effectively cutting off its ability to finance the war, states US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker in an interview with Newsmax TV.
The diplomat emphasized that President Trump understands the levers of influence better than anyone.
In his view, the President’s announcement of devastating tariffs and sanctions against Russia starting August 8 is highly significant.
"How are they funding this war? How are they able to pay new recruit, a private in the military, who will most likely go on the front and die after two weeks of minimal training? They have to pay them $100,000 to go to war," the politician said.
Whitaker reminded that Russia earns most of its revenue from oil sales, primarily to China, India, and Brazil. He emphasized that once the new restrictions take effect, those countries will face serious consequences for doing business with Russia.
"And Russia is not gonna have friends. They are not gonna have trading partners. And its ability to fund the war will end," the US Ambassador to NATO stressed.
President Trump has pursued peace since day one, but @POTUS’s patience is wearing thin.
— U.S. Ambassador to NATO (@USAmbNATO) August 1, 2025
In my interview with @NEWSMAX, I emphasized that ending the Russia-Ukraine war is a top priority as we push for a durable, negotiated settlement. pic.twitter.com/hMG2xS0p8S
Trump’s deadline for the Kremlin
In mid-July, Donald Trump expressed his disappointment over Russia’s massive shelling of Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure, and gave Russian President Vladimir Putin a 50-day deadline to reach a peace agreement with Ukraine.
Should there be no willingness to negotiate, the US President threatened to impose sanctions not only on Russia but also on countries purchasing Russian oil - namely China, India, and Türkiye.
However, on July 29, Trump unexpectedly shortened the deadline to 10 days, moving it up to August 8, due to the Kremlin’s lack of progress.
In response, Moscow announced it would continue its war against Ukraine despite the American leader’s ultimatum - and even threatened to pull out of the New START nuclear arms treaty with the US.
Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev called the deadline a step toward war with the US.
Trump, in turn, advised Russia to watch its words and ordered two nuclear submarines to be deployed near the Russian coast.
