Cabot Phillips

That clearly angered Trump, who on Tuesday issued a new statement of his own on social media. this time with a clear threat. Quote, what Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia. And I mean really bad. He is playing with fire.

That clearly angered Trump, who on Tuesday issued a new statement of his own on social media. this time with a clear threat. Quote, what Vladimir Putin doesn't realize is that if it weren't for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia. And I mean really bad. He is playing with fire.

Yeah, a number of reports from the White House suggest those new sanctions against Moscow could come as early as this week. Multiple times over the last few months, Russia has launched new strikes on Ukraine that prompted Trump to issue new threats of sanctions. And then Putin has in turn responded with promises to come to the negotiating table. But each time after those promises...

Yeah, a number of reports from the White House suggest those new sanctions against Moscow could come as early as this week. Multiple times over the last few months, Russia has launched new strikes on Ukraine that prompted Trump to issue new threats of sanctions. And then Putin has in turn responded with promises to come to the negotiating table. But each time after those promises...

He's really just stalled on negotiating and continued his invasion. Trump is reportedly concerned that those sanctions could drive Putin even further from the negotiating table and prolong the war. But the reality is, barring increased military support for Ukraine, Trump doesn't have many other options for exerting pressure.

He's really just stalled on negotiating and continued his invasion. Trump is reportedly concerned that those sanctions could drive Putin even further from the negotiating table and prolong the war. But the reality is, barring increased military support for Ukraine, Trump doesn't have many other options for exerting pressure.

GOP Senator Chuck Grassley, for example, said on social media, quote, I believe President Trump was sincere when he thought his friendship with Putin would end the war. Now, that being the case, it's time for sanctions strong enough so Putin knows game over. So what would sanctions look like exactly?

GOP Senator Chuck Grassley, for example, said on social media, quote, I believe President Trump was sincere when he thought his friendship with Putin would end the war. Now, that being the case, it's time for sanctions strong enough so Putin knows game over. So what would sanctions look like exactly?

Well, first, Congress has made clear to the White House that they are ready to roll if he gives them the green light. They'd be able to pass new measures, they said, with overwhelming bipartisan support. One idea is to slap a 500% import tariff on any country who continues to purchase Russian oil, petroleum, and natural gas.

Well, first, Congress has made clear to the White House that they are ready to roll if he gives them the green light. They'd be able to pass new measures, they said, with overwhelming bipartisan support. One idea is to slap a 500% import tariff on any country who continues to purchase Russian oil, petroleum, and natural gas.

President Zelensky has cheered on that idea, saying it would, quote, serve as a guaranteed means of forcing Russia not only to ceasefire, but also to show respect. But look, there are skeptics who question whether sanctions will actually work. To that point, we spoke with Rebecca Koffler, former defense intelligence analyst and author of the book Putin's Playbook.

President Zelensky has cheered on that idea, saying it would, quote, serve as a guaranteed means of forcing Russia not only to ceasefire, but also to show respect. But look, there are skeptics who question whether sanctions will actually work. To that point, we spoke with Rebecca Koffler, former defense intelligence analyst and author of the book Putin's Playbook.

Koffler went on to explain why Putin feels he has the leverage in this showdown with Ukraine and the West more broadly.

Koffler went on to explain why Putin feels he has the leverage in this showdown with Ukraine and the West more broadly.

So after a spring that saw optimism regarding peace talks, Putin is giving new signs that he's in this war for the long haul.

So after a spring that saw optimism regarding peace talks, Putin is giving new signs that he's in this war for the long haul.

Yeah, over the weekend, Moscow launched a series of air assaults on Ukrainian cities, deploying hundreds of attack drones and dozens of missiles. Those strikes killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more, many civilians, in what Ukraine called the largest aerial bombardment of the entire three-year war.

Yeah, over the weekend, Moscow launched a series of air assaults on Ukrainian cities, deploying hundreds of attack drones and dozens of missiles. Those strikes killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more, many civilians, in what Ukraine called the largest aerial bombardment of the entire three-year war.

In recent months, there had been hopes that a peace deal was soon within reach, but Putin appears to be making clear that he is pushing ahead despite increased threats of sanctions from the West. To that point, U.S. intelligence reportedly shows Moscow is amassing troops near the front line in preparation for a summer offensive. So things could soon get even worse in Ukraine.

In recent months, there had been hopes that a peace deal was soon within reach, but Putin appears to be making clear that he is pushing ahead despite increased threats of sanctions from the West. To that point, U.S. intelligence reportedly shows Moscow is amassing troops near the front line in preparation for a summer offensive. So things could soon get even worse in Ukraine.