United States Tries to Halt Russian War via Sanctions as India and China Face Pressure
White House envoy Steve Witkoff is preparing for a trip to Russia on Wednesday, as President Donald Trump escalates international pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump has cut the initial deadline for Moscow to enter into a ceasefire from 50 days to just 10 days, but the Kremlin has shown no signs of abating its aggression in the war. With the deadline fast approaching, the U.S. is poised to impose 100% sanctions on any nation that continues to purchase Russian oil, aiming to cut off funding for Russian war efforts.
Reports suggest that Witkoff’s last-ditch diplomatic efforts may not yield significant results, as Putin appears unmoved by the threat of secondary sanctions. Meanwhile, Trump has indicated a willingness to raise tariffs on India, which is a major importer of Russian oil, to further deter such trade. India has strongly opposed these potential tariffs, calling them