USA Trump Hesitates on New Russia Sanctions, Urges Europe to Take the Lead

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Trump Hesitates on New Russia Sanctions, Urges Europe to Take the Lead

 

At the G7 summit in Canada, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled a reluctance to impose new sanctions on Russia, pushing back against calls from European leaders for a coordinated response to Vladimir Putin’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Speaking alongside British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Kananaskis, Alberta, Trump made it clear that he expects European nations to act first. “Well Europe is saying that, but they haven't done it yet,” he said. “Let’s see them do it first.”

 

The comments come amid mounting pressure from both the European Union and the United Kingdom to tighten restrictions on Russia, particularly by lowering the existing $60-per-barrel price cap on Russian oil exports. EU leaders argue that a reduced cap—possibly to $45—would further cut off funding for Moscow’s war machine. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized on Sunday, “We must put more pressure on Russia to secure a real cease-fire, to bring Russia to the negotiating table and to end this war, sanctions are critical to that end.”

 

Despite these appeals, Trump resisted the push for fresh U.S. sanctions, citing the financial burden they impose. “When I sanction a country, that costs the U.S. a lot of money — a tremendous amount of money,” he said. “It's not just, let's sign a document. You're talking about billions and billions of dollars. Sanctions are not that easy. It's not just a one-way street.” He stressed the importance of continuing efforts toward peace negotiations before considering new punitive measures against Moscow.

 

While Trump’s stance has drawn criticism from European officials, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer maintained a firm tone in contrast. Without naming Trump directly, Starmer dismissed the notion that Russia holds the upper hand in the war. “Russia doesn't hold all the cards,” he stated. “We should take this moment to increase economic pressure and show President Putin it is in his — and Russia’s — interests to demonstrate he is serious about peace.”

 

Starmer’s remark appeared to allude to Trump’s controversial claim during a tense February meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that the Ukrainian leader “doesn’t have the cards.” While No. 10 Downing Street downplayed the suggestion that Starmer was intentionally referencing Trump’s remark, the implication of urging stronger U.S. leadership on Russia was clear.

 

Although Trump has in recent weeks grown more publicly critical of Putin—especially as Russian strikes on Ukrainian civilians have intensified—his current posture at the G7 suggests a focus on diplomacy and domestic cost over additional economic warfare. Starmer, meanwhile, announced on Monday evening that he and other G7 leaders plan to unveil a new sanctions package targeting Russia on Tuesday, though his office declined to offer specifics.

 

As global leaders weigh their next move in countering Russian aggression, Trump’s insistence that Europe “do it first” has set the stage for a potential rift in transatlantic unity, even as the G7 summit presses forward with efforts to present a united front.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Politico  2025-06-18

 

 

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