Trump Plans Sanctions as Russia-Ukraine Peace Deadline Nears

U.S. President Donald Trump has set a strict deadline for Russia to cease hostilities against Ukraine, threatening severe economic sanctions, including 100% secondary tariffs and penalties targeting Russian oil buyers like China and India, if Moscow does not comply. Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to meet with Kremlin officials to negotiate peace efforts, but so far, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains defiant, continuing military actions and advancing new weapons. Despite Trump's tough stance and shortened timeframe from 50 to 10 days, the diplomatic impasse persists, with Ukraine continuing to lose territory but maintaining its defensive capabilities. Ukrainian officials, including President Zelenskyy and his representative Andriy Yermak, support Trump's approach, urging intensified sanctions and a complete economic blockade of Russia to pressure Moscow into negotiations. However, Trump himself has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of sanctions, acknowledging Russia's ability to circumvent them. The coming days are critical as international hopes rest on the potential impact of these diplomatic and economic pressures to end the conflict.