Zelensky: Russia Sanctions Plea After Major Attack
Trump Considers Escalating Sanctions on Russia as Attacks on Ukraine Intensify
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US President Donald Trump is weighing a meaningful escalation in sanctions against Russia,including perhaps imposing a 500% tariff on Russian oil,gas,uranium,and other exports. This comes amid a renewed wave of Russian strikes targeting Ukraine, including a major overnight attack on the western region near NATO-member Poland.
Shifting US Policy and Potential Sanctions
Mr. Trump, who returned to office promising a swift resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, has begun to distance US rhetoric from unwavering support for Kyiv, acknowledging some of Moscow’s justifications for the 2022 invasion. Though, his recent statements suggest a potential hardening of stance.
“We get a lot of bulls**t thrown at us by Putin… He’s very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless,” Mr. Trump stated at a cabinet meeting. When pressed on specific actions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, he cryptically responded, “I wouldn’t tell you. We want to have a little surprise.”
The proposed sanctions package under consideration in the Senate,which Mr. Trump indicated he might support, would represent a dramatic increase in economic pressure on Russia. The 500% tariffs on key exports aim to cripple Russia’s revenue streams and limit its ability to fund the war effort. Concurrently, Europe is developing its own new package of sanctions against Russia.
Renewed US Support for Ukraine Amidst Russian Offensive
Despite a recent shift in rhetoric, Mr. Trump has reversed a Pentagon decision to stall critical munitions supplies to Ukraine, promising to increase the delivery of defensive weapons.This decision followed escalating Russian attacks that have instilled fear in Kyiv and other major cities.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has welcomed the renewed commitment from the US, stating he has ordered an expansion of contacts to ensure the timely delivery of crucial military supplies, especially air defense systems.Mr. Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, is scheduled to attend an international aid conference in Rome on July 10-11, alongside Mr. Zelensky and European allies.
Overnight Russian Strikes Target Western Ukraine
Residents across Ukraine,including Kyiv,spent the night in air raid shelters as Russia launched a widespread overnight attack. A significant portion of the strikes targeted the northwestern city of Lutsk, located approximately 200km from the Polish border.
According to President Zelensky, ten other provinces across Ukraine also reported damage.Polish and allied aircraft were activated to monitor airspace and ensure safety. While buildings sustained damage, initial reports indicate no casualties or injuries in Lutsk, a city of 200,000 people. A local enterprise’s storage facility and parking structures were set ablaze.
Ivan Rudnytskyi, governor of the Volyn region, reported that 50 Russian drones and five missiles were detected in the region’s airspace overnight, marking the most substantial attack on Lutsk since the beginning of the war. lutsk’s mayor, ihor Polishchuk, described the attack as “the most massive enemy attack with UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and missiles on our city and community.”