Trump teases ‘major statement’ on Russia

The US president has reiterated that he is “disappointed” with Moscow

US President Donald Trump has said he is planning to make a “major statement” regarding Russia and the settlement of the Ukraine conflict in the coming days.

The announcement comes after Trump criticized his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin earlier this week, accusing him of not wanting to stop the fighting with Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow treats Trump’s comments “calmly” and remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution with Kiev and rebuilding ties with Washington.

In an interview with NBC News on Thursday, Trump again stressed that he is “disappointed in Russia, but we will see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”

“I think I will have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday,” he said, declining to reveal any further details.

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the ASEAN forum in Malaysia on Thursday. Washington’s top diplomat said afterwards that they talked about “new and different” ideas on resolving the Ukraine conflict. When asked by journalists on Friday about his discussions with Rubio, Lavrov said he would reply in Trump’s style. “As if I would tell you,” he stated.

The US president said that he expects the Senate to vote in the legislation, spearheaded by hawkish Senator Lindsey Graham, that would impose a 500% tariff on countries buying Russian energy and other goods in an attempt to make Moscow compromise on the Ukraine conflict.

“They are going to pass a very major and very biting sanctions bill, but it is up to the president as to whether or not he wants to exercise it,” Trump said, referring to a clause in the legislation granting the head of state the power to halt the tariff for up to 180 days.

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On Thursday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov asserted that Moscow will adapt if the US imposes 500% secondary tariffs on Russian trade partners and maintain its sovereign course. “We know how to work in these conditions,” he noted.