Kremlin says US president’s latest statements had been ‘very severe’ and that it wants ‘time to analyse’ remarks.
The Kremlin has stated that US President Donald Trump’s latest statements, together with a menace to impose sanctions on Russia’s buying and selling companions, are severe and require time to evaluate.
Amid rising frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump on Monday introduced new deliveries of weapons, together with Patriot missile methods, to Ukraine by way of NATO and stated that patrons of Russian exports might face extreme tariffs if Moscow fails to comply with a peace deal inside 50 days, signalling a significant coverage shift in Washington.
“The US president’s statements are very severe. A few of them are addressed personally to President Putin,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov informed reporters in Moscow on Tuesday.
“We definitely want time to analyse what was stated in Washington. And if and when President Putin deems it essential, he will certainly remark.”
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev mocked Trump’s announcement, calling it a “theatrical ultimatum” and saying that “Russia didn’t care”. Medvedev, who now serves as deputy chair of Russia’s Safety Council, has continuously issued strident remarks all through the battle.
Russian Senator Konstantin Kosachev was equally dismissive. Writing on Telegram, he stated Trump’s announcement would haven’t any influence on public sentiment in Russia and claimed the USA was setting a entice for Europe — forcing NATO states to pay for weapons that might primarily profit the US arms trade.
“Solely the American military-industrial complicated will revenue from this,” Kosachev stated.
Olesia Horiainova, co-founder of the Ukrainian Safety and Cooperation Middle, expressed hope that the US would proceed to promote weaponry to Ukraine and referred to as for “harsher” sanctions on Russia, which, she stated, “is displaying no indicators of being ” in “stopping the battle”.
She informed Al Jazeera that US sanctions on purchasers of Russian oil might have a significant influence on Russia’s financial system.
“Each greenback that’s put into Russia’s financial system proper now’s being spent on the battle – so, sure, if the sanctions will probably be imposed finally on Russia in 50 days, or earlier hopefully, it is going to really feel that massively.”
Europeans promise to help weapons shipments
A number of European international locations pledged to help Trump’s proposal to ship extra weapons to Ukraine.
Denmark’s International Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated Copenhagen would “do its half” to finance Patriot methods for Ukraine, although he gave no specifics. “It appears the US is lastly on the appropriate aspect,” Rasmussen informed reporters in Brussels.
The Netherlands and Sweden additionally stated they had been exploring methods to help the initiative. Sweden’s Defence Minister Pal Jonson welcomed Trump’s stress on Russia and confirmed Stockholm would contribute to the supply of weapons, although particulars remained unclear.
Lithuania’s International Minister Kestutis Budrys stated the bulletins confirmed that “management is as soon as once more coming from the US.”
EU sanctions package deal stalls
However in an indication that European unity concerning Russia’s battle on Ukraine stays fragile, the European Union’s deliberate 18th sanctions package deal stalled on Tuesday after Slovakia requested a delay within the vote. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who visited the Kremlin final yr, stated the transfer mirrored home political considerations over fuel provides amid a looming ban on Russian imports from 2028.
EU international coverage chief Kaja Kallas voiced frustration on the setback. “I’m actually unhappy the sanctions didn’t get authorized,” she stated. “However I hope they are going to be handed tomorrow.”
Kallas added that the EU welcomes Trump’s dedication to defending Ukraine however stated Washington should additionally “share the burden”.
In a separate transfer, the European Council imposed asset freezes on 5 Russian judicial officers accused of persecuting opposition determine Alexei Gorinov, citing human rights violations.
