Trump Threatens Sanctions Against Russia Over Ukraine Talks, Urges Xi to Intervene

By M Muzamil Shami - January 22, 2025

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that his administration would impose additional sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin fails to engage in negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.

Trump refrained from providing specifics on the proposed sanctions, but he emphasized the extensive penalties already levied against Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

"We are prepared to take further steps if necessary," Trump remarked.

The president also revealed ongoing discussions about supplying weapons to Ukraine. However, he urged the European Union to play a more substantial role in supporting Ukraine's defense.

"We're in constant communication with (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskiy, and we're planning to initiate talks with President Putin soon," Trump stated.

In a related effort, Trump disclosed a recent phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where he urged Xi to leverage China's influence to help bring an end to the conflict in Ukraine.

"Xi has a tremendous amount of power, much like we do," Trump explained. "I said to him, 'You should step in and settle this.' We discussed this in detail."

Trump’s comments underscore his administration's efforts to address the crisis while navigating complex international relations.