Donald Trump has turned his ire on Moscow as he issues a major threat to Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine, urging the Kremlin to "act before it's too late".
In a shock turn of events, the President has encouraged "large scale" banking sanctions and regular sanctions, in addition to tariffs on Russia until a "final" ceasefire is settled.
The stark warning has come at a time when European leaders are pushing to put their own troops on Ukrainian soil to deter Putin from breaking any possible peace settlement.
Sharing the message on his Truth Social platform, the President posted: "Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely "pounding" Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED."
Trump has threatened Russia with sanctions
REUTERS
"To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!"
The threat was issued after Ukraine claims that it deployed Mirage jets for the first time overnight to fight against an attack on energy infrastructure, which left at least 18 dead, Ukrainian official sources said.
It comes days ahead members of the US Government are scheduled to hold talks with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia to discuss bringing an end to the war in Ukraine.
Last month, the same officials held talks with Russian representatives in Riyadh.
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Since entering the Oval Office, the President has held meetings with Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin on the brutal war - although he has criticised the Ukrainian leader much more than his Russian counterpart.
Following the disastrous Zelensky-Trump bust-up in the White House, America paused military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Previously, Trump also blasted the Ukrainian President as a "dictator" although he has since said that he did not recall labelling him as such.
Meanwhile, he has refused to call Putin a "dictator".
Following the disastrous Zelensky-Trump bust-up in the White House, America paused military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine
REUTERS
Over the past few weeks, the UK has gone further to increase the number of sanctions imposed upon high-profile Putin sympathisers, known to have links to the Kremlin's inner circle.
Those targeted included Russian Defence Minister Pavel Fradkov and Vladimir Selin, who heads up an arm of the Russian Ministry of Defence.
The sanctions have also targeted Artem Chaika, whose extractives company supports Russian state-owned business.
Since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022, America - as well as Britain, the EU, Australia, Canada and Japan - have imposed more than 21,000 on Moscow, hoping to disrupt its financial and oil industry.
