Trump Delays ‍Russia Sanctions Amid Ukraine War, Yemen Airport Hit

⁤ ⁢Updated May 29, ⁤2025

President Donald Trump is​ holding off on‌ new sanctions against Moscow to allow Ukraine-Russia peace talks a chance, he said Wednesday.Trump told reporters at the White House he would give Russian⁤ President Vladimir Putin about two weeks to demonstrate his commitment to ending the war. The⁢ delay‍ comes as tensions remain high in the⁢ region.

“We’re going‍ to find out whether or not he’s tapping us along or not, and if he is, we’ll respond a little bit differently,” Trump said.

Despite ​past inclinations to side with Russia, trump has recently⁤ criticized Putin amid stalled negotiations and continued attacks on Ukraine. A‌ recent drone barrage against Ukrainian cities, which resulted‌ in at least 12 deaths, appeared⁣ to fuel Trump’s frustration. He warned Putin against “playing with fire” on social media.

Dmitry Medvedev, a key Putin ally, responded via⁤ X, warning ‍that the “one REALLY BAD thing” ⁤is a third world war.

Meanwhile,German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Ukrainian ‌President Volodymyr Zelensky and pledged increased support for Ukraine,including more funding for weapons production and military equipment.⁣ The German ⁣Defense Ministry valued the deal at roughly ​$5.7 billion.

“Germany is one of the global leaders in⁣ supporting ‌Ukraine and defending ⁤the rules-based international order,” Zelensky said.

Russia reported intercepting over 100 Ukrainian drones across several regions, including those ‌headed for Moscow.

The Kremlin proposed a second‍ round of​ direct negotiations with Kyiv in Istanbul on June 2, but Ukraine has yet to respond.

Tensions are ‌also​ escalating ‌elsewhere. Israeli forces launched airstrikes on Yemen’s Sanaa International Airport ⁢on Wednesday, following missile attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Defense​ Minister Israel Katz said the attack​ targeted Houthi “terror targets” and destroyed the ‍last aircraft of the⁢ country’s national‌ airline.The airport was‍ previously targeted earlier in ⁤May.

“Whoever harms ⁣us, we harm them,” Prime Minister​ Benjamin netanyahu said. “The Houthis are ⁤only the symptom. The main driving force behind them is Iran.”

In other news, the‌ U.S. State ‍Department has temporarily paused scheduling new visa interviews for foreign ​students,⁣ as it expands its vetting process to include social media screening. Secretary of State Marco Rubio⁢ signed the order, which ‌applies to⁤ new F, M, and J visa applicants. Already-scheduled appointments will proceed. The move comes‍ amid a broader crackdown on student protests and immigration.

The‌ Association of southeast Asian‌ nations (ASEAN) convened its first summit with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China in Malaysia, seeking to boost trade and economic cooperation. ‍The meeting included leaders from the GCC and Chinese Premier li Qiang. the goal is to⁢ strengthen ASEAN-GCC-China ⁢ ties.

“I am confident that ASEAN, the GCC, and⁤ China can draw upon our unique attributes and shape a ‍future that is more connected, more resilient, and more prosperous,” said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Six ASEAN members face U.S. tariffs between 32% and⁣ 49% unless they negotiate‍ a trade deal with Washington ‍before July.

“Today, against a volatile international landscape and sluggish global growth, the establishment of the ASEAN-China-GCC Summit creates a platform for exchanges and a mechanism ‌for cooperation,” li said.

what’s next

The world watches as Trump assesses​ Putin’s intentions‌ regarding Ukraine-Russia peace‌ negotiations. Further Israeli responses to Houthi ⁢aggression are anticipated, and the ASEAN bloc will likely continue⁣ to navigate its economic relationships ⁢with both the U.S.and ​China.