**Trump Holds Back on Sanctions Against Russia, Hopes for Ceasefire Progress**
In a surprising move, US President Donald Trump has decided not to impose further sanctions against Russia. This decision comes after a two-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the day. During the call, Putin refused to agree to a ceasefire, but instead offered to negotiate a potential peace treaty with Ukraine.
According to CNN, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that he was holding back on imposing sanctions because there’s a “chance” of progress towards a ceasefire. He said, “Because I think there’s a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse.” This statement suggests that Trump is willing to wait and see what happens before taking further action.
This move has raised eyebrows, as numerous threats have been made by the US and other countries to impose sanctions against Russia. Despite these threats, President Trump has never followed through on imposing additional sanctions. The Kremlin’s refusal to accept a 30-day unconditional ceasefire has been a major point of contention between the two nations.
**What does this mean for Ukraine?**
The decision not to impose further sanctions may be seen as a blow to Ukraine, which has been pushing for tougher action against Russia. Ukraine and its allies have long demanded that Russia accept a ceasefire and take steps towards resolving the conflict in eastern Ukraine. By holding back on sanctions, President Trump is essentially giving Putin an opportunity to make concessions without facing significant consequences.
However, some analysts believe that this move may be a calculated risk by Trump. By not imposing further sanctions, he may be able to maintain good relations with Russia and potentially avoid escalation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. This could ultimately lead to a peaceful resolution, although it remains to be seen whether Putin will follow through on his promises.
**What’s next?**
The situation is still developing, and it remains to be seen what will happen next. The Kremlin has announced that it will negotiate a potential peace treaty with Ukraine, but details of this process have not been revealed. If progress is made towards a ceasefire, we can expect Trump to reassess his stance on sanctions.
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