This week could become decisive regarding new sanctions against the Russian Federation, as the United States government is actively considering mechanisms for further pressure on the Kremlin
According to unofficial information, citing sources in U.S. media, particularly The Wall Street Journal, the Trump administration is contemplating the possibility of implementing additional restrictions as early as this week. This decision is part of a broader strategy aimed at influencing Russian leader Vladimir Putin and encouraging him to take more flexible steps in negotiations over Ukraine. Sources indicate that the primary motivation for such a move is President Trump’s deep dissatisfaction with the current actions of the Kremlin. The presidential team believes that Putin’s actions—including armed attacks and an aggressive approach toward Ukraine—do not inspire the United States to make concessions. Moreover, Trump is reportedly unhappy with the slow progress of peace negotiations that have long been underway between Kyiv and Moscow. Therefore, various options for exerting pressure are being considered, which may not necessarily include new banking restrictions but could involve other tools and measures to accelerate the path toward a compromise. However, it is emphasized that the decision regarding sanctions is not final: there is a possibility that Trump will simply opt not to impose them. In any case, the American leader appears to be somewhat fatigued from efforts to find a peaceful settlement and may be considering a scenario whereby the U.S. temporarily steps back from the process if he deems the efforts fruitless. This creates uncertainty about Washington’s future strategy, including its military and diplomatic support for Ukraine. According to WSJ sources, over the past several weeks, Trump has been resisting pressure from his supporters to sign new sanctions packages and has fallen behind tougher measures, particularly concerning the Russian banking sector. However, several key considerations have influenced his stance. First, his dislike for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whom he accused—according to Trump—of “encouraging conflict.” While Kyiv officially insists on a ceasefire, Trump believes that Zelensky’s support for this process only deepens the conflict. Second, Trump’s reflections also include his view on sanctions in general. He is convinced that additional restrictions against Russia are unlikely to significantly deter its military actions but overall would complicate efforts to restore the economic ties between the U.S. and Russia in the future. The third factor is personal: Trump allegedly believes he knows Vladimir Putin well and can persuade him if direct negotiations occur. However, recent events have disproved this idea—Russian President Putin refused to sign a ceasefire agreement last week, casting doubt on his firm intentions to make concessions. It is worth noting that just on Sunday, Trump made a prominent statement regarding developments on the Ukrainian front. Responding to recent Russian shelling, the former U.S. ambassador to the international arena emphasized that Russia is mocking the world and America’s efforts to achieve peace. Trump expressed concern that Moscow seemingly values only strength and believes the world is silently watching the conflict. He also made a surprising remark concerning the possible legal or political support for sanctions in the coming days. The background of this situation involves many elements—from openly accusing Putin of wanting to conquer all of Ukraine to Trump’s words that he is “angry” and apparently understands the Russian president. It is also important to recall that last week, the American leader repeatedly voiced his dissatisfaction with Kremlin actions, especially in the context of nightly strikes on Ukrainian regions. According to official reports, Russian forces conducted combined attacks on several Ukrainian regions during the night of May 25, utilizing nearly 370 air and missile systems. As a result, 12 people were killed, over 80 buildings damaged, and sixty residents injured. Meanwhile, the diplomatic front remains tense. The European Union’s ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Materova, stated that Russia’s actions increasingly demonstrate Moscow’s indifference to international opinion and efforts by the global community to maintain peace and stability. She emphasized that Moscow is cynically ignoring sanctions strategies and that internal negotiations and diplomatic pressure appear to be ineffective. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock underscored the need to hold Russia accountable and ensure that it faces real consequences for its aggression—not just symbolic ones—and called on the West to act more decisively and take measures so that Putin "feels the true cost of his war."