US readies Russia sanctions over Ukraine, unclear if Trump will sign, sources say
Share this @internewscast.com

U.S. officials have finalized a set of new economic sanctions against Russia, aiming to increase pressure on Moscow to support U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiatives to resolve the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This information was provided by three U.S. officials and a source with knowledge of the situation.

The sanctions target state-owned Russian energy company Gazprom, as well as key players in the natural resources and banking sectors, according to an administration official who, like the other sources, wished to remain anonymous while discussing the matter.

The official provided no further details.

Nonetheless, it remains uncertain if President Trump will approve the sanctions package, as his previous support for Moscow’s statements and maneuvers has turned into frustration over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s rejection of his ceasefire and peace proposal efforts.

The U.S. National Security Council “is trying to coordinate some set of more punitive actions against Russia,” said the source familiar with the issue. “This will have to be signed off by Trump.”

“It’s totally his call,” confirmed a second U.S. official.

“From the beginning, the president has been clear about his commitment to achieving a full and comprehensive ceasefire,” said National Security Council Spokesman James Hewitt. “We do not comment on the details of ongoing negotiations.”

The U.S. Treasury, which implements most U.S. sanctions, did not respond to a request for comment.

An approval by Trump of new sanctions, which would follow the Wednesday signing of a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal that he heavily promoted as part of his peace effort, could signify a hardening of his stance towards the Kremlin.

Rescuers work at the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian ballistic missile strike, in Kyiv

Rescuers work at the site of an apartment building hit by a Russian ballistic missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, April 24, 2025.  (REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko)

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 the United States and its allies have added layer upon layer of sanctions on the country. While the measures have been painful for Russia’s economy, Moscow has found ways to circumvent the sanctions and continue funding its war.

Trump “has been bending over backwards to give Putin every opportunity to say, ‘Okay, we’re going to have a ceasefire and an end to the war,’ and Putin keeps rejecting him,” said Kurt Volker, a former U.S. envoy to NATO who was U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations during Trump’s first term. “This is the next phase of putting some pressure on Russia.”

“Putin has been escalating,” he continued. Trump “has got the U.S. and Ukraine now in alignment calling for an immediate and full ceasefire, and Putin is now the outlier.”

Since assuming office in January, Trump has taken steps seen as aimed at boosting Russian acceptance of his peace effort, including disbanding a Justice Department task force formed to enforce sanctions and target oligarchs close to the Kremlin.

He also has made pro-Moscow statements, falsely blaming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for starting the conflict and calling him a “dictator.”

Meanwhile, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, has advocated a peace strategy that would cede four Ukrainian regions to Moscow, and has met Putin four times, most recently last week.

But three days after that meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Putin’s maximalist demands for a settlement and Moscow’s forces have pressed frontline attacks and missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, claiming more civilian casualties.

Reuters reported in March that the United States was drawing up a plan to potentially give Russia sanctions relief but Trump in recent weeks has expressed frustration with Putin’s foot-dragging on ending the invasion and last Saturday held a “very productive” one-on-one meeting in the Vatican with Zelenskiy.

The next day, Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform that he was “strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions and Tariffs on Russia” that would remain until a ceasefire and final peace deal.

Volker said that Russia has been earning hard currency that funds its military through oil and gas sales to countries like India and China and that it would be “very significant” if Trump slapped secondary sanctions on such deals.

Secondary sanctions are those where one country seeks to punish a second country for trading with a third by barring access to its own market, a particularly powerful tool for the United States because of the size of its economy.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Cat survives 380-foot fall that killed owners at Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park, Garfield County Sheriff says

Cat Miraculously Survives 380-Foot Fall at Bryce Canyon: Owners Tragically Passed Away, Reports Garfield County Sheriff

She cashed in one of her nine lives in this cat-astrophe. A…
People being rescued from floodwaters.

Survivors of Plane Crash Endure 36 Hours in Alligator-Infested Amazon Swamp

FIVE plane crash survivors have been rescued after enduring a harrowing 36…
Greek woman killed after bomb explodes in hands: police

Greek Woman Dies After Handling Explosive Device: Police Report

A 38-year-old Greek woman was killed Saturday when a bomb she was…
Army identifies Pvt. Gabriel Perez, who died April 24 at Fort Jackson

The Army has identified Pvt. Gabriel Perez, who passed away on April 24 at Fort Jackson.

Pvt. Gabriel J. Perez of Anchorage, Alaska, has been identified as the…
Woman sitting at an outdoor cafe in Milan, Italy, with a glass of white wine.

65-Year-Old British Mother of Four Tragically Stabbed in French Village; Friend’s Attempts to Save Her Were Unsuccessful

A BRIT mum who was fatally stabbed outside her home in France…
About 100 dead cats found in Long Island home following reports of foul ammonia stench

Nearly 100 Deceased Cats Discovered in Long Island Residence After Complaints of Strong Ammonia Smell

On Saturday afternoon, approximately 100 deceased cats were found in a Long…
Dana Perino and Karoline Leavitt in conversation at a Fox Nation event.

Fox News’ Dana Perino and Karoline Leavitt Connect Over Press Secretary Challenges and Age-Difference Marriages in Open Conversation

FOX News’ Dana Perino and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt have…
Mike Waltz, U.S. National Security Advisor, during a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Mike Waltz Speaks Out After Trump’s Decision to Appoint Him as UN Ambassador, Naming Marco Rubio as Interim Replacement

MIKE Waltz has said he’s “honored to continue” serving under Donald Trump’s…
Alan and Karen Carter sitting together outdoors with wine.

Three Unresolved Mysteries Surrounding the Intense Murder of a 69-Year-Old British Woman in a French Village as Police Search Nearby Woods for Evidence

SEVERAL unanswered questions still remain over Brit mum Karen Carter’s brutal murder…
Nigel Farage giving a thumbs-up and raising his other hand.

Nigel Farage Proposes Trump-Inspired Policies: No Migrants for Reform Councils & Ending Remote Work

Nigel Farage has vowed to “resist” asylum seekers being housed in areas…
Forensic experts investigating a bomb explosion scene.

38-Year-Old Woman Killed in Greece Blast as Police Investigate Possible Bank Bombing Plot

A WOMAN has been killed after the bomb she was carrying exploded…

“Terrifying Encounter: Foul Odor in Hotel Reveals Horrifying Discovery Under Bed”

A HOLIDAYMAKER has told how she spotted two eyes staring at her…