US President Donald Trump has given Russia a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine or face new sanctions. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, Trump also warned countries buying Russian oil of harsh tariffs if no peace deal is reached. However, he also urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy not to target Moscow directly, saying, “I’m on humanity’s side” and want the violence to end.
Trump’s comments came a day after NATO pledged a new military aid package for Ukraine. The support includes Patriot missile systems and other US-made weapons funded by European countries. While some Ukrainian troops welcomed the move, others questioned Trump’s reliability, saying the conflict has already cost them valuable time and lives.
The Kremlin responded cautiously to Trump’s remarks, stating that Kyiv may see them as encouragement to continue fighting rather than pursuing peace. Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that ceasefire efforts could be harmed, especially since Moscow insists Ukraine must pull out of occupied territories and stop receiving Western arms.
Meanwhile, in Brussels, the European Union failed to agree on its 18th round of sanctions against Russia. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said she was “really sad” that Slovakia’s objections had blocked the deal. The proposed measures include a floating oil price cap and new banking restrictions, aimed at cutting Moscow’s war funding.
Despite the setback, Kallas said most EU members are ready and a final deal could still be reached soon. Some countries, like Denmark and the Netherlands, also backed Trump’s plan to jointly purchase American weapons for Ukraine, showing a shift in Europe’s approach to the conflict.
With rising civilian casualties and no breakthrough in sight, pressure is building on both Moscow and the EU to act. As Trump’s 50-day deadline counts down, the global spotlight remains fixed on how these diplomatic efforts will shape the next phase of the war.