Trump to decide on sanctions or tariffs against Russia in two weeks

U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., 22 August, 2025.
Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump says he will decide within two weeks whether to impose sanctions or tariffs on Russia, as he monitors progress toward ending the war in Ukraine.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Friday, Trump expressed frustration over recent Russian strikes that damaged a US-operated factory in Ukraine. “I’m not happy about it, and I’m not happy about anything having to do with that war,” he said.

He added that within two weeks, a major decision will be made: “I'm going to make a decision as to what we do, and it's going to be a very important decision, and that's whether or not it's massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both, or do we do nothing and say it's your fight?”

Trump has been actively pursuing a resolution to the conflict, holding talks with both sides, including a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on 15 August. He is also preparing for a potential meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Despite tensions, Trump expressed cautious optimism: “We’re going to see if Putin and Zelenskyy will be working together. That’s like oil and vinegar a little bit. They don’t get along too well, for obvious reasons, but we’ll see.”

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