DONALD Trump has said he is “strongly considering” imposing banking sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and peace agreement is reached with Ukraine.
The US President’s comments follow a wave of large-scale missile and drone attacks by Russia on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure overnight.
The bombardment came hours after the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said talks with the US on ending the three-year war will take place next week.
According to reports, the attacks have depleted electricity generation capacity and disrupted critical heating and water supplies.
In a post on social media on Friday, Trump said he is “strongly considering” imposing banking sanctions on Russia as the country is “absolutely pounding” Ukraine.
He said: “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED.
“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late.”
Zelenskyy (below) said on Tuesday that he was ready to work under Trump’s “strong leadership” to get a lasting peace.
Zelenskyy has also proposed ceasing combat operations in the Black Sea to allow safe shipping.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that the energy supply's bombed are a legitimate target in the war, because it’s “linked with Ukraine’s military industrial complex and weapons production”.
However, Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of “weaponising winter” in an effort to erode civilian morale.
