The media has been lying about Trump, per usual. But he’s got a crazy card up his sleeve.
And Trump just shut up and shut down his haters with this one genius move.
Trump’s Sanctions Threat: Silencing Critics by Targeting Russia
In a move that appears aimed at quieting those who label him a Russian puppet, President Donald Trump has declared he is contemplating fresh sanctions on Russia in response to its relentless attacks on Ukraine. The announcement, made via a fiery statement on March 07, comes as Moscow escalates its assault on Ukrainian territory, prompting Trump to project an image of strength against the Kremlin.
“Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED. To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!” Trump declared, seizing the moment to counter accusations of being soft on Moscow.
The president’s words followed a brutal overnight barrage of Russian missiles and drones that targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, an attack Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko called a “massive missile and drone” assault in a Facebook post. Ukrainian authorities confirmed that at least 10 people, including a child, were injured as the strikes ravaged the nation’s power grid. “Russia is deliberately targeting energy and gas production facilities, aiming to plunge us into darkness and cold,” Halushchenko stated. “Its goal is to inflict the greatest suffering on ordinary Ukrainians.”
Russia’s strategy of battering Ukraine’s electricity network is nothing new. Since the war began, the Kremlin has sought to cripple the country’s power generation, severing heat and water supplies in a ruthless campaign Ukrainian officials dub “weaponizing winter.” With the conflict now stretching into its third year, Moscow’s efforts to erode civilian resolve have only grown more ferocious.
Trump’s threat of sanctions arrives at a tense moment in his administration’s dealings with Ukraine, particularly after a dramatic Oval Office clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last Friday. Relations between the two leaders have soured, and the U.S. recently took the drastic step of suspending intelligence sharing with Kyiv. This cutoff has deprived Ukraine of vital battlefield data—information that has enabled its forces to track and strike Russian targets effectively. A senior administration official framed the suspension as part of a comprehensive reevaluation of U.S.-Ukraine ties, with national security adviser Mike Waltz noting that the White House is rethinking “all aspects of this relationship.”
Yet, Trump’s actions tell a different story—one of a president determined to drown out critics who claim he’s in Vladimir Putin’s pocket. By floating sanctions and tariffs, he seeks to flip the narrative, casting himself as a hardliner against Russia rather than its ally. The intelligence pause, coupled with an earlier decision to halt military aid to Ukraine, has rattled Kyiv’s Western partners, who fear Trump is abandoning a key ally.
For over two years, U.S. and NATO intelligence has been a lifeline for Ukraine, delivering real-time insights into Russian troop positions, missile trajectories, and combat strategies. Without it, Kyiv’s ability to fend off Moscow’s advances hangs in the balance. Though Trump and his administration are willing to bet that both Ukraine and Russia can be forced to lay down their arms if the going gets tough for both sides.
Some see Trump’s maneuvers as a deliberate tactic to force Ukraine into peace negotiations, a process he has tied to his direct talks with Putin. Upcoming discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia next week could determine whether the intelligence freeze lifts—or deepens. For now, the suspension serves as a stark signal of Trump’s transactional approach to foreign policy, one that prioritizes deal-making over unwavering support for allies.
Critics who accuse Trump of cozying up to Russia find themselves challenged by his latest rhetoric. The threat of “large scale Banking Sanctions” and tariffs paints a picture of confrontation, not collusion. Yet, the timing raises questions. Hours after Russia’s latest assault left Ukraine reeling, Trump seized the opportunity to project toughness, perhaps hoping to mute the chorus of detractors who see his outreach to Putin as evidence of divided loyalties. Meanwhile, Ukraine battles on, its people shivering in the dark as the Kremlin’s bombs fall—and America’s full support remains in limbo.
For Trump, this is more than geopolitics; it’s personal. By dangling sanctions over Russia, he aims to prove he’s no one’s puppet—least of all Moscow’s. Whether his strategy succeeds depends on what comes next: a genuine crackdown on Russia or a peace deal that leaves Ukraine vulnerable. For now, Kyiv waits, wounded but defiant, as Trump works to reshape the story in his favor.
Just one week after a heated Oval Office showdown with Trump and Vice President JD Vance forced Zelenskyy to storm out early, the Ukrainian leader confirmed his team will join U.S. officials for peace talks in Saudi Arabia. The announcement, made on March 07, signals Trump’s determination to counter claims of Kremlin loyalty by driving a narrative of control over the conflict.
“Next Monday, I have a visit planned to Saudi Arabia for a meeting with the Crown Prince. After that, my team will stay in Saudi Arabia to work with our American partners,” Zelenskyy posted on X. “Ukraine is most interested in peace.” In a nod to Trump, he added, “Ukraine is working and will continue to work constructively for a swift and reliable peace,” a clear attempt to ease tensions after their clash.
Russia, perhaps sensing the talks as a provocation, unleashed a ferocious “massive missile and drone” attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, as confirmed by Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko on Facebook. Authorities reported at least 10 injuries, including a child, in the barrage that left civilians reeling. “Ukraine is ready to pursue the path to peace, and it is Ukraine that strives for peace from the very first second of this war. The task is to force Russia to stop the war,” Zelenskyy wrote on X, defiant even as Moscow’s bombs fell.
By strong-arming Zelenskyy into peace talks while Russia hammers Ukraine, Trump aims to flip the script on his detractors. Critics who paint him as Putin’s pawn now face a president pushing for negotiations, not capitulation. Yet, the cost falls on Kyiv: battered by missiles, pressured by Washington, and scrambling to keep its war effort alive. For Trump, it’s a chance to prove he’s no Russian puppet—but for Ukraine, it’s a fight for survival under a shadow of doubt.
Zelensky REALLY stepped in it today. Until now, the Trump Administration was working to get Ukraine the most beneficial deal they could possibly get. In return, Zelensky came into our White House and metaphorically spit in our face.
After today, I predict all support propping up… pic.twitter.com/Er3sWexBLB
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) February 28, 2025
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