US President Donald Trump is considering imposing sanctions on Russia this week as he is increasingly frustrated with continued attacks on Ukraine and the slow pace of peace talks, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources.
The restrictions are unlikely to include new banking sanctions, but other options are being discussed to pressure Putin to make concessions, including a 30-day ceasefire, one of the sources said.
However, the publication writes, Trump could also decide not to impose new sanctions and instead withdraw from the talks.
„Trump is also tired of the peace talks and is considering abandoning them if the latest push does not work, according to people familiar with his mindset“, the WSJ notes.
However, it is unclear what would happen if the United States withdrew from the peace process and whether Trump would continue to provide military support to Ukraine.
“President Trump has made it clear that he wants to see a negotiated peace agreement. President Trump has also wisely kept all options on the table,“ White House spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt told the publication.
As the WSJ notes, Trump has resisted pressure for weeks to rebuke Putin for not agreeing to a ceasefire. Many of Ukraine's allies, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, have told Trump that Putin does not want to negotiate and that only punishment will force him to negotiate seriously.