Latvian Foreign Minister Urges Trump to Impose Russia Sanctions Within 50 Days

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braze has urged US President Donald Trump to impose secondary sanctions against Russia immediately rather than waiting 50 days, warning that delaying only gives Russian President Vladimir Putin more time to continue military aggression in Ukraine. While Braze welcomed Trump's announcement of US weapons support to Ukraine and potential tariffs of up to 100 percent on countries trading with Russia if no peace deal is reached within 50 days, she emphasized that Russia retains the capacity to wage war and that sanctions could weaken its warfighting capabilities. Both US and allied intelligence assessments agree that Putin is not interested in peace, a conclusion Trump has also reached after initially keeping negotiation channels open. Trump himself indicated that the 50-day deadline for sanctions could be shortened, stressing it is not a long period. Meanwhile, the EU is preparing additional sanctions targeting Russia’s oil price cap and financial sector, with some member states holding out. Discussions around these measures and ongoing support for Ukraine continue among NATO allies, including Latvia, which remains engaged through diplomatic and parliamentary channels.