Trump Hints at ‘Major Statement’ Regarding Russia

President Donald Trump announced Friday he intends to make a “major statement” regarding Russia early next week.

This comes amid ongoing Senate efforts to push him toward stronger sanctions following repeated Russian attacks on Ukraine.

In an interview with NBC News Thursday, Trump said, “I think I’ll have a major statement to make on Russia on Monday.”

When asked on the White House lawn Friday morning about a recent Russian drone strike that damaged a maternity hospital in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Trump replied, “You’ll be seeing things happen.”

Trump has indicated he may increase sanctions on Moscow due to the attacks that have caused civilian casualties in Ukraine.

He has also discussed penalties against countries that buy Russian oil, minerals, and other products.

Additionally, Trump has suggested possibly sending a new Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine.

This could be done either directly or indirectly by authorizing a US ally, such as Germany or France, to transfer the equipment, per the New York Post.

The president’s hinted moves come as a Senate bill aims to restrict his ability to waive sanctions. The legislation, backed by bipartisan support including Sens. Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, would require a 500% tariff on any country importing Russian oil. This would heavily impact countries like India, which is a US defense partner.

To address Trump’s concerns, the bill allows him to waive the tariffs twice for 180-day periods. However, after the second waiver, Congress would have to vote on further extensions.

A White House insider told The Post that Trump strongly opposes the idea of Congress reviewing his waiver powers.

Since returning to office in January, Trump has increased criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin as Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine.

Trump has also tried to broker peace talks between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He has described the proposed sanctions bill as preserving his authority despite its terms.

“It’s at my option if I want to use it,” Trump told NBC News, referring to the sanctions. “They’re going to pass a very major and very biting sanctions bill, but it’s up to the president as to whether or not he wants to exercise it.”

Following a Russian drone attack that hit a maternity hospital in Kharkiv, families rushed to shelter their infants, highlighting the human toll of the conflict.

Trump emphasized that the US is sending weapons to NATO, and NATO allies are fully paying for those arms. “So what we’re doing is the weapons that are going out are going to NATO, and then NATO is going to be giving those weapons, and NATO is paying for those weapons,” he said Thursday night.

Earlier this week, Trump reversed a Pentagon decision to pause defensive weapons shipments to Ukraine, responding to military concerns about low US stockpiles.

The move to consider tougher sanctions on Russia by Trump follows criticism that the Biden administration’s sanctions spared much of Russia’s business elite. Among those spared were billionaires who have sought US real estate investments involving Hunter Biden, the former first son.

The Senate’s legislation is seen as a challenge to Trump’s executive authority on foreign policy, particularly concerning how the US responds to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

Trump’s upcoming statement is expected to clarify his position amid mounting pressure from lawmakers demanding stronger actions against Moscow.

The post Trump Hints at ‘Major Statement’ Regarding Russia appeared first on Resist the Mainstream.