⚡ Sanctions Strike Like Lightning, Contradictions
Move Faster: Trump Surprises His Advisors
Unexpected Speed
in Imposing Sanctions on Russia
According to CNN, members of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration were stunned by the speed at which a new package of sanctions against Russia was prepared — especially after Trump’s long-standing hesitation toward such actions.
A White House official stated:
“This time, the president even surprised some of his closest advisors by approving sanctions on the largest Russian oil companies. Even within the White House, many were shocked at how quickly the new sanctions were drafted.”
The source added that Trump had been telling his advisors for months that the time would eventually come for tougher measures against Moscow.
The Motivation Behind the Decision
Another White House official revealed that Trump’s decision was partly driven by a gas sector settlement, which became achievable only after he took a firm stance toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sanctions Target Russia’s Major Oil Giants
The U.S. Treasury Department included Rosneft, Lukoil, and 34 affiliated companies in its new sanctions package against Russia.
In response
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, declared that these sanctions pose no serious threat to Russia, emphasizing that the country has developed a strong immunity to such restrictions over the years.
She added that the sanctions send a counterproductive signal
especially concerning the Ukrainian peace settlement.
Trump:
Effects of Sanctions Will Appear Within Six Months
President Donald Trump expressed confidence that the economic impact of the new sanctions will become visible within the next six months.
Responding to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s remarks — in which Putin downplayed the effect of the sanctions on Russia’s economy
Trump said:
“I’m glad he believes that. That’s fine. But I’ll tell you the result after six months, and we’ll see how things go.”
Putin’s Reaction and the Cancelled Summit
On Thursday
- President Putin stated that the American sanctions would
- not significantly harm Russia’s economy, but he described them
- as an unfriendly act that damages the U.S.
Russia relationship, which had only just begun to recover.
Putin stressed that dialogue remains the best option
compared to confrontation or prolonged disputes.
Meanwhile
Trump announced the cancellation of his planned meeting with Putin in Budapest, though he reaffirmed his willingness to meet in the future.
Putin clarified that the Budapest summit was initially proposed by the American side during their last phone conversation
but noted:
“Such meetings must be carefully prepared. It would be a mistake — both for me and for President Trump — to approach it lightly or end it without meaningful results.”
He added that the summit would likely be postponed
given Trump’s recent statements and the current political tensions.