NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump threatened sweeping sanctions against Russia until a ceasefire and a final settlement are reached with Ukraine.

“Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large-scale banking sanctions, sanctions, and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and final settlement agreement on peace is reached,” Trump said on his social media platform, Truth Social.

“To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late.”

Russia launched a wave of aerial bombings, striking Ukraine with 67 missiles and 194 drones, according to Kyiv. While most were intercepted, some managed to get through, hitting gas and power facilities.

These threats mark Trump’s first strong warnings to Russia. During his 2024 election campaign, he had claimed the war would end the day he took office—or even before. He also asserted that Russia would never have invaded Ukraine if he had remained president. While the latter claim cannot be tested, the former—his confidence in ending the war—is now being put to the test, as the conflict has continued for two months into his second term.

President Trump has successfully pressured Ukraine into preparing for a ceasefire and a final settlement. After a heated exchange with President Volodymyr Zelensky during an Oval Office meeting, he announced a pause in all U.S. aid to Ukraine, halting even intelligence sharing.

Following a letter of “regret” from Ukraine, Trump has expressed his willingness to work with Zelensky toward peace. Officials from both sides are set to meet next week for talks, including discussions on a U.S.-Ukraine agreement that would grant Washington rights to Ukraine’s rich reserves of rare earth minerals.