U.S. prepares new Russia Sanctions as Patience with Putin Wears Thin

As Russia’s war on Ukraine enters its third year, the United States has prepared a new package of sanctions aimed at some of the Kremlin’s most vital sectors—including Gazprom and other major energy players. But despite the pressure from U.S. officials and European allies, it remains uncertain whether President Donald Trump will sign off on the measures.

The proposed sanctions mark a significant potential shift in Trump’s stance on Russia. Throughout his presidency, he has faced criticism for taking a lenient approach toward Moscow—dismantling key sanctions enforcement mechanisms and promoting a controversial peace plan that includes territorial concessions to Russia. Yet behind the scenes, recent frustrations have been building.

According to senior U.S. officials cited by Reuters, Trump has grown increasingly exasperated by Vladimir Putin’s refusal to accept a ceasefire, even after Ukraine offered a 30-day moratorium on long-range strikes. Trump had hoped to broker what he calls “the deal of the century” in Ukraine—one that would elevate his image as a peacemaker. But Putin’s intransigence appears to be testing even Trump’s limits.

In a notable shift, Trump is now considering “secondary sanctions” targeting countries like China and India that continue to do business with Russia. This would escalate economic pressure significantly and signal to global markets that the U.S. is prepared to isolate Russia more forcefully if the war continues.

The new sanctions package, if enacted, would hit Russian energy revenues hard and could restore parts of the enforcement apparatus that Trump previously dismantled. But sources close to the administration say he remains undecided—and aware of how the move could reshape his narrative ahead of the 2025 U.S. election.

Meanwhile, European leaders are watching closely. With fears that the U.S. might step back from Ukraine support, the EU is developing a “Plan B” to maintain pressure on Russia and ensure the continuity of support for Kyiv even if Trump changes course.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with Trump in Rome last week, urging stronger U.S. leadership and warning that continued Russian aggression is incompatible with any viable peace framework. “We don’t need new words—we need action,” Zelensky reportedly told the U.S. delegation, according to Ukrainian sources.

The meeting, which took place at the Vatican, was described by both sides as “productive,” but no formal commitments were made. Trump, for his part, emphasized the human cost of the war and condemned recent Russian missile strikes on civilian areas. However, he stopped short of endorsing the new sanctions package outright.

For Kyiv, the next steps in Washington could prove decisive. If Trump does approve the sanctions, it would send a powerful signal that even the most Kremlin-curious administration is running out of patience. If he refuses, it may reinforce fears that America’s stance on Ukraine is once again negotiable.

Either way, Ukraine is bracing for impact.