Kremlin says US president’s latest statements have been ‘very severe’ and that it wants ‘time to analyse’ remarks.
The Kremlin has stated that US President Donald Trump’s latest statements, together with a threat 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 systems, to Ukraine and stated that consumers of Russian exports may face severe tariffs if Moscow fails to comply with 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 definitely want time to analyse what was stated in Washington. And if and when President Putin deems it obligatory, 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 regularly issued strident remarks all through the conflict.
Russian Senator Konstantin Kosachev was equally dismissive. Writing on Telegram, he stated Trump’s announcement would don’t have any impression on public sentiment in Russia and claimed america was setting a entice for Europe — forcing NATO states to pay for weapons that might primarily profit the US arms business.
“Solely the American military-industrial advanced will revenue from this,” Kosachev stated.
Europeans promise to help weapons shipments
A number of European nations pledged to help Trump’s proposal to ship extra weapons to Ukraine.
Denmark’s International Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen stated Copenhagen would “do its half” to finance Patriot techniques for Ukraine, although he gave no specifics. “It appears the US is lastly on the fitting aspect,” Rasmussen instructed reporters in Brussels.
The Netherlands and Sweden additionally stated 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 International Minister Kestutis Budrys stated the bulletins confirmed that “management is as soon as once more coming from the US.”
Sanctions bundle stalls
However in an indication that European unity 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 12 months, stated the transfer mirrored home political considerations over fuel provides amid a looming ban on Russian imports from 2028.
EU overseas coverage chief Kaja Kallas voiced frustration on the setback. “I’m actually unhappy the sanctions didn’t get authorized,” she stated. “However I hope they are going to be handed tomorrow.”
Kallas added that the EU welcomes Trump’s dedication to defending Ukraine however stated 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.