Trump sets Deadline for Russia: White House Plant Putin Summit

Trump sets Deadline for Russia: White House Plant Putin Summit

Donald Trump's deadline for Russia to end the war in Ukraine or to suffer serious economic sanctions this Friday. However, it remains unclear how he will proceed with a summit with Vladimir Putin and sensitive trade negotiations with China in the middle of new efforts.

Trump's announcements for sanctions

Trump promised to impose new sanctions against Russia at the beginning of this week, even though he questioned the effectiveness of such measures. The White House confirmed on Wednesday that it continues to intend to “secondary sanctions” against countries that continue to buy Russian energy resources.

preparations for discussions with Putin

on Thursday, after taking the preparations for a personal meeting with Putin, he showed less binding. "It will be up to him," said Trump in relation to Putin when he was asked whether his deadline was still valid and whether the new measures would actually be implemented.

The uncertainty of the war in Ukraine

The difficulties in enforcing new sanctions to Moscow, while a potential conversation with Putin is also being prepared, illustrates the uncertain location in the Ukraine conflict. Trump is careful not to give the impression that he is led by Putin behind the light with which he is increasingly frustrated and to which he accuses hypocrisy. Nevertheless, he strives to reach a peace treaty and seems open to a personal conversation with the Russian leader. US officials indicated on Thursday that nothing was yet finalized-including the format, the date or the place for the discussions.

Trump's sanction strategy

In the past, Trump was hesitant when using new sanctions against Moscow, for fear of further removing Putin from the negotiating table. His current threat of providing Russia and buyers of Russian energy with new sanctions is the most far -reaching measure he has so far threatened. On Wednesday, for example, he announced an additional inch of 25 % to Indian imports that are considered a punishment for importing Russian oil.

other options in view

The President also consider other options, including the targeted monitoring of the old tankers, which are part of Russia's "shadow fleet", which is used to circumvent existing western sanctions. Officials are also looking for ways to intensify the existing sanctions against Russia.

concerns in Europe

Some European officials privately expressed concerns that a summit could only be another attempt by Putin to extend the war and at the same time avoid new US sanctions. Several European leaders held talks with the Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj on Thursday to discuss strategies for the new diplomatic efforts.

Trump's frustration with Putin

In the past few days, Trump has expressed his frustration with Putin and did not rule out new economic measures. Nevertheless, he commissioned his team to prepare for a possible summit, and US officials worked on logistics and political preparations for a meeting that may consider both the White House and the Kremlin to be possible next week.

summit in the United Arab Emirates?

The Kremlin confirmed the plans for a summit on Thursday and even called a possible place: the United Arab Emirates. However, no venue has yet been determined. The idea for a meeting came about during talks between Putin and Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff; The Kremlin claimed that it was Trump's idea while the White House attributed responsibility to the Russians.

results of the conversation with European leaders

Trump then sent his intentions for a summit in a phone call with European leaders. In this conversation, he expressed the desire to meet Putin, but also Putin and Selenskyj in a trilateral framework. A day later, Trump stated that he did not make a summit with Putin dependent on the Russian President also speak to the Ukrainian leader.

New economic measures in conversation

Trump admitted that the new sanctions, which were supported by Republican legislators and were welcomed by European leaders, were not excluded, but indicated that he first wanted to hear what Putin has to say. "We will see what he has to say," said Trump. "It will be up to him. Very disappointing."

effects on the trade with China and India

Trump's first application of the so-called secondary sanctions with the threatened an additional 25%inch in India comes into force on August 27. India is the second largest importer of Russian energy goods, while China, the largest customer of Moscow, is in delicate trade negotiations with Trump officials.

trade talks with China in focus

officials reported significant progress in these conversations. Nevertheless, Trump did not rule out new secondary sanctions from Beijing at the beginning of the week, despite the possible negative effects on the trading talks. "One of them could be China," he said. "It could happen. I don't know. I can't tell you yet."