New US sanctions on Russia hinge on Turkey talks
European leaders are reportedly ready to wait until after a possible meeting between Ukraine's President Volodimir Zelenski and Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Turkey, before urging the U.S. to announce new sanctions against Russia.
According to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the situation, if Putin refuses the meeting with Zelenski or Russia does not accept an immediate and unconditional ceasefire on Thursday, European leaders will urge President Donald Trump to make good on his threat to impose sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, Dmitri Kiku, Deputy Director of the Russian Ministry of Finance's Department for Control of External Restrictions, told the Russian press that, "in the event of crushing sanctions, Russia will diversify its trade."
Following discussions between U.S. and European officials on Monday, the cited source writes that it became clear the U.S. side wants to give Russia-Ukraine negotiations, expected on Thursday, a chance before increasing pressure on Putin, according to sources who requested anonymity due to the confidential nature of the deliberations.
The U.S. Department of State has not offered a comment yet.
The Trump administration has prepared options for the president to apply more economic pressure on Russia, should he choose to do so, Bloomberg previously reported. In a social media post on May 8, Trump said that "the U.S. and its partners will impose new sanctions" if the ceasefire is not observed.
"Russia will diversify its export markets for goods subject to U.S. prohibitions in the event of crushing sanctions," Dmitri Kiku told the Russian press.
"We will have to see, firstly, to what extent these decisions will receive support from U.S. legislators and, secondly, what the economic impact of these measures will be," Kiku said.
Recall that on Sunday, Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine on May 15, in Turkey, which should aim to establish a lasting peace. Volodimir Zelenski announced he is prepared to participate in direct talks in Istanbul, provided that Russia agrees to a complete and lasting ceasefire effective May 12. U.S. President Donald Trump also stated he is considering a trip to Istanbul for the Russia-Ukraine negotiations.
The Russia-Ukraine negotiations are characterized by irreconcilable positions regarding occupied territories, and a Putin-Zelenski meeting is unlikely, notes Romanian retired commander Sandu-Valentin Mateiu.
Should Putin refuse to participate, "European countries and the United States will act accordingly," argues political analyst Laurențiu Pleșca. For his part, WatchDog expert Eugen Muravschi states that Moscow lacks credibility, and a stable peace cannot be achieved without guarantees from international partners.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
