As negotiations efforts over potential ceasefire in Ukraine sped-up, US President Donald Trump on Thursday issued a stark warning to Moscow, suggesting that the United States could take severe financial action if Russia does not agree to the proposed truce.
“In a financial sense, yeah, we could do things very bad for Russia, would be devastating for Russia,” Trump said on Wednesday, pressurising the Kremlin to accept the deal.
Trump confirmed that US negotiators were already en route to Russia for talks. “People are going to Russia right now as we speak. And hopefully we can get a ceasefire from Russia,” he told reporters in the Oval Office during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
Ukraine had earlier agreed to a US-backed 30-day ceasefire proposal after breakthrough discussions with American officials in Saudi Arabia.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remained skeptical, saying that he still does not trust Russia. The Kremlin, meanwhile, said it was still waiting for Washington to provide details on the plan.
Despite the threat of economic retaliation, Trump expressed hope for a diplomatic resolution. “I don’t want to do that because I want to get peace,” he said.
While Trump’s stance toward Moscow appeared measured, his approach to Ukraine had been more forceful in recent weeks.
On February 28, he abruptly halted military aid to Kyiv following a heated confrontation with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, an argument that played out in front of television cameras.
Assistance was only resumed on Tuesday after Ukraine agreed to the ceasefire plan and a deal granting the US preferential access to the country’s natural resources.
The next step hinges on Russia’s response. “It’s up to Russia now,” Trump said. “I’ve gotten some positive messages, but a positive message means nothing. This is a very serious situation, it could start World War Three.”
Vice President JD Vance mentioned that discussions between US and Russian officials would continue both “on the phone and in person” over the next two days.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that special envoy Steve Witkoff—who has played a key role in negotiations on both Ukraine and Gaza—would travel to Moscow later this week. National security advisor Mike Waltz also spoke with his Russian counterpart on Wednesday, she said.
“We urge the Russians to sign on to this plan,” Leavitt stated, specifying that a ceasefire was within reach.
“We are at the 10th yard line and the president expects the Russians to help us run this into the end zone,” she added, using an American football analogy to describe the final phase of negotiations.
