As tensions between Washington and Moscow intensify, former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering imposing new sanctions on Russia in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to "choke" remaining Western companies operating in Russia.
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According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump’s administration is contemplating sanctions that stop short of targeting Russia’s banking sector. Instead, options under review include measures intended to pressure Putin into agreeing to a 30-day ceasefire to revive stalled peace talks.
Despite the public tough talk, Trump has left the door open to reversing course. “He’s killing a lot of people. I don’t know what’s wrong with him—what the hell happened to him?” Trump said of Putin, expressing frustration with the Russian president's stance and the slow pace of negotiations.
Trump, who once promised to end the war on his first day in office, is now reportedly considering walking away from peace efforts altogether if his next push doesn't yield results. The consequences of such a move remain unclear, including whether the U.S. would continue military aid to Ukraine.
White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt reaffirmed that Trump remains committed to negotiating peace but is keeping “all options on the table.”
Putin, meanwhile, responded sharply. During a meeting with Russian business leaders, he voiced support for efforts to curtail Western tech firms like Zoom and Microsoft, which now offer only limited services in Russia. “We need to choke them. I absolutely agree and say this without hesitation,” Putin declared.
He criticized Western companies that withdrew following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, accusing them of attempting to strangle the Russian economy despite the favorable conditions Russia had provided for them. “We didn’t expel anyone—they left on their own,” he said, warning that those who departed shouldn’t expect a warm welcome if they try to return.
Putin also reinforced restrictions that complicate the exit process for Western businesses, often forcing them to sell assets at heavy losses. While some companies have retained buy-back options, others like McDonald’s have exited completely. “Now if they want to come back, should we roll out the red carpet? Of course not,” Putin said.
Speculation is rising that some U.S. firms might be exploring reentry amid Trump’s efforts to reset relations with Moscow. Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund and Putin’s economic envoy, claimed in April that several American companies had expressed interest in returning. However, none have made public declarations so far.
These mutual threats and maneuvers signal a deepening rift between the two powers, underscoring the volatile mix of diplomacy, economics, and military posturing defining the Ukraine conflict’s broader geopolitical impact.
