**Trump Weighs New Sanctions on Russia as Moscow Delays Ukraine Peace Proposal**
U.S. President Donald Trump is considering new sanctions on Russia after a weekend of deadly missile and drone strikes across Ukraine. The move comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin’s administration delays delivering a promised peace proposal, leaving Kyiv and the international community waiting.
According to sources, Trump was assured by Putin during a phone call on May 19 that a “memorandum of peace” outlining conditions for a ceasefire would be delivered shortly. However, as of May 27, no such document has been received. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier that there is “no timeline” for completing the document.
The delay has sparked outrage from both parties in Congress, with over 80 senators backing a bipartisan bill seeking sweeping new measures against Russia. Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal told CNN that lawmakers are putting pressure on Trump to take a firmer stance. “All of us, by our public statements as well as private contacts, are pressing very, very hard,” he said.
Trump himself weighed in on the situation, warning that Russia is “playing with fire” and hinting at potential consequences. The remarks prompted a pointed reaction from Moscow, with former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev interpreting them as a warning of possible escalation.
**A Growing Tension**
The delay in delivering a peace proposal has highlighted the growing tension between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine. Trump’s comments have added to the pressure on Putin’s administration, which is facing mounting criticism for its handling of the conflict.
The remarks by Trump also reflect the concern among lawmakers that Russia’s actions are escalating the situation in Ukraine. “He’s killing a lot of people,” Trump said of Putin. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him.”
**A Global Response**
The international community is watching the situation closely, with many countries urging restraint and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
In related news, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has confirmed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told him ahead of the Trump-Putin call that Moscow would prepare a draft outlining its requirements for a ceasefire. However, work on the document is ongoing, according to Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.
**What’s Next?**
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the U.S. and Russia are locked in a high-stakes game of diplomacy and counter-diplomacy. The outcome will have far-reaching consequences for global security and stability.
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