US signals readiness for sanctions against Russia – Bloomberg
Photo: Donald Trump, President of the United States (Getty Images)
The US has assured European officials it remains ready to impose sanctions on Russia. Washington had previously pledged restrictions if Moscow refuses a ceasefire with Ukraine, Bloomberg reports.
The outlet, quoting sources, reports that European officials are frustrated by US President Donald Trump’s wavering stance on sanctions against Russia.
One Bloomberg source expressed hope that this week's developments would show Trump that Russia is not serious about peace talks, and that the US must take decisive action.
Journalists have learned that the US views on Russia have hardened in recent weeks. At the same time, officials in the Trump administration see Russian leader Vladimir Putin as the main obstacle to a peace deal.
Sources also told the outlet that American officials, who met with their European counterparts in Türkiye this week, expressed readiness to impose sanctions on Russia after Moscow announced it would send a low-level delegation to the talks.
"I’m hoping that it will move next week now that Putin has failed to come to the table. President Trump has indicated he views sanctions favorably, our European allies are very supportive, I think the moment is now," Senator Richard Blumenthal said.
US had pledged sanctions against Russia
Earlier, the US and Europe signaled they were ready to impose sanctions on Russia if it refused a 30-day unconditional ceasefire with Ukraine.
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has already rejected that ceasefire and instead proposed peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul, which took place today, May 16.
Instead of pressuring Russia with sanctions, US President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to agree to negotiations with Moscow.
Meanwhile, a sanctions bill targeting Russia is already in Congress, and it has the backing of a majority of senators.
