Kremlin says US president’s current statements have been ‘very severe’ and that it wants ‘time to analyse’ remarks.
The Kremlin has mentioned that US President Donald Trump’s current statements, together with a risk 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 through NATO and mentioned that consumers of Russian exports might face extreme tariffs if Moscow fails to conform to 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 instructed reporters in Moscow on Tuesday.
“We actually want time to analyse what was mentioned 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 often issued strident remarks all through the battle.
Russian Senator Konstantin Kosachev was equally dismissive. Writing on Telegram, he mentioned Trump’s announcement would don’t have any affect on public sentiment in Russia and claimed the US was setting a lure for Europe — forcing NATO states to pay for weapons that might primarily profit the US arms trade.
“Solely the American military-industrial advanced will revenue from this,” Kosachev mentioned.
Olesia Horiainova, co-founder of the Ukrainian Safety and Cooperation Heart, expressed hope that the US would proceed to promote weaponry to Ukraine and referred to as for “harsher” sanctions on Russia, which, she mentioned, “is exhibiting no indicators of being ” in “stopping the battle”.
She instructed Al Jazeera that US sanctions on purchasers of Russian oil might have a significant affect on Russia’s economic system.
“Each greenback that’s put into Russia’s economic system proper now’s being spent on the battle – so, sure, if the sanctions shall be imposed ultimately on Russia in 50 days, or earlier hopefully, it’ll really feel that vastly.”
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 Overseas Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen mentioned Copenhagen would “do its half” to finance Patriot methods for Ukraine, although he gave no specifics. “It appears the US is lastly on the correct facet,” Rasmussen instructed reporters in Brussels.
The Netherlands and Sweden additionally mentioned they have 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 Overseas Minister Kestutis Budrys mentioned the bulletins confirmed that “management is as soon as once more coming from the US.”
EU sanctions bundle stalls
However in an indication that European unity relating to Russia’s battle on Ukraine stays fragile, the European Union’s deliberate 18th sanctions bundle stalled on Tuesday after Slovakia requested a delay within the vote. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who visited the Kremlin final yr, mentioned 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 accredited,” she mentioned. “However I hope they are going to be handed tomorrow.”
Kallas added that the EU welcomes Trump’s dedication to defending Ukraine however mentioned 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.