US President Donald Trump announced a pause on implementing new sanctions against Russia to avoid escalating the conflict and to keep negotiation avenues open with Vladimir Putin.
Reasons for Pausing Sanctions
During a briefing in the Oval Office, Trump stated that he needs about two weeks to determine whether Putin is seriously engaging in negotiations or just buying time.
"If I think I’m close to getting a deal, I don’t want to screw it up by doing that," Trump said.
Rising Tensions and Threats
A week earlier, Trump expressed frustration over the lack of progress in peace talks following a new wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine. However, by midweek, his tone shifted: "We’re going to find out whether or not he’s tapping us along or not, and if he is, we’ll respond a little bit differently."
Talks with Iran and Regional Political Influence
Trump confirmed that his team is engaged in "very good talks" with Iran over its nuclear program. He noted that a potential agreement could be a significant step towards regional stability. Additionally, he mentioned that he asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to take military actions that could interfere with the ongoing negotiations with Iran.
Thus, Trump’s decision to pause sanctions is aimed at preserving dialogue options with Russia amidst escalating military actions in Ukraine and intensifying talks with Iran.
