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🇺🇸 🇷🇺 | Trump Gives Putin Ultimatum: Ceasefire by August 8 or Face Severe Sanctions
(Estimated reading time: 3 minutes)
Former President Donald Trump has issued a clear ultimatum to the Kremlin: agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine by August 8 or face a dramatic escalation in economic sanctions. According to U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, the proposed measures would not only target Russia but also its key trading partners — including China, India, and Brazil.
The U.S. is threatening to implement secondary tariffs ranging from 100% to as high as 500% on countries continuing to trade with Russia or import its oil. The aim: to cut off the Kremlin’s financial lifelines and impose sweeping global isolation that could force Moscow into a strategic withdrawal.
This aggressive approach reflects growing bipartisan support in Congress. Lawmakers from both major parties are backing legislation to expand the White House’s power to impose sanctions — not just against Russia, but also against those seen as enabling the conflict through continued economic cooperation.
Ambassador Whitaker directly called out nations like China and India, arguing that their ongoing trade with Russia constitutes indirect support for the war. As part of the initial response, the U.S. has already announced a 25% tariff increase on imports from India — a signal that a broader trade confrontation may be brewing.
Trump is presenting himself as a dealmaker who prefers economic pressure over military intervention. However, this high-stakes strategy carries risks: potential global market disruptions, strained alliances, and domestic economic fallout. Its success will hinge on how effectively the U.S. can apply pressure without triggering wider instability.