Trump Warns of Harsh Sanctions on Russia if Putin Rejects Ukraine Ceasefire

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened sweeping economic sanctions against Russia if President Vladimir Putin refuses a ceasefire in Ukraine, stressing he would avoid military escalation.

“It will not be a world war, but it will be an economic war,” Trump said at a White House Cabinet meeting, calling the measures “very, very serious.” He added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was “not exactly innocent either,” as he renewed his push for direct talks between the two leaders.

Despite stalled diplomacy, Washington and European allies are weighing possible security guarantees for Kyiv, including intelligence sharing or air support, should a deal emerge.

Trump, who has withheld sanctions so far, also signaled he could extend his tariff campaign, preparing to raise duties on Indian exports over New Delhi’s Russian oil purchases. “We have economic sanctions. We also have a very strong tariff system that can be costly to Russia or Ukraine,” he said.