Russia has lashed out at the US, accusing the Trump administration of “blackmail” as it continues to threaten Moscow with a sanctions ultimatum. Washington has told the Kremlin that if it does not agree to a Ukraine peace deal within 50 days, then it will impose 100% secondary tariffs on Moscow’s trade partners that buy Russian oil, gas and other products.
Donald Trump said trade is “great for settling wars” as he looks to cause Russia, which is already under significant global sanctions, financial pain and make Vladimir Putin bring the Ukraine conflict to an end. The US has been growing increasingly frustrated with the Russian President’s approach to peace talks, with Mr Trump saying he is “very, very unhappy” with Moscow. The US has agreed to send more weapons to Ukraine via NATO allies which has prompted fury within the Kremlin.
America’s ambassador to NATO said it is moving “with haste” to get weapons into Ukraine, with Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson condemning the shipments
Maria Zakharova said: “It is obvious that the Kyiv regime consistently perceives such decisions by the collective West as a signal to continue the slaughter and abandon the peace process.”
It comes as Russia continues to suffer heavy casualties on the frontline in Ukraine.
The UK Defence Secretary said it is likely Russia seized 550 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory — “an area greater than the size of Greater Manchester” — last month but at a cost, with Moscow’s forces struggling to make meaningful gains.
John Healy told the Commons: “And yet, they face continuing difficulties attempting to take fortified towns or cities, and they have not taken a significant town for months. Indeed, they’ve tried without success to seize Pokrovsk for nearly a year.
“What ground they do gain is coming at great cost. Last month, the number of Russian troops killed or wounded surpassed more than a million.
“This year alone, Russia has sustained 240,000 casualties.
“And despite these catastrophic Russian losses, Putin’s ruthless ambitions do not appear to be waning.”