The Trump administration is weighing new sanctions on Russia as tensions escalate over the ongoing war in Ukraine. On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington is considering “all possible actions,” including additional sanctions, against Russia for intensifying its military campaign despite repeated calls for peace.

Bessent, in an interview with Fox News, stated: “He [Putin] has, in a despicable manner, increased the bombing campaign. So, I think with President Trump, all options are on the table and I think we'll be examining those very closely this week.”

This statement comes as a crucial peace deadline, set during the Alaska Summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, expired without progress.

No breakthrough after the Alaska Summit

Two weeks ago, Trump and Putin held talks in Alaska, where Trump urged Russia to take visible steps toward peace in Ukraine within 14 days. At the time, Trump presented this as a test of Russia’s sincerity in moving toward a ceasefire or negotiations.

However, the deadline passed on Monday with no tangible progress. Instead, Russia intensified its military operations, raising doubts about Moscow’s willingness to engage in peace talks.

Putin’s stance at SCO Summit

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, defended Russia’s actions in Ukraine. He reiterated that the conflict stemmed from what he described as a “Western-backed coup” in Kyiv in 2014, arguing that NATO’s expansion and attempts to bring Ukraine into the alliance posed a direct threat to Russia’s security.

Putin repeated his long-standing justification for the invasion, maintaining that Western policies left Russia with no choice but to act.

European leaders react

French President Emmanuel Macron sharply criticized Putin’s disregard for Trump’s deadline, saying it showed that Putin had once again “played” the American president. Speaking alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Macron said, “If that doesn’t happen by Monday, the deadline set by President Trump, it means that once again President Putin played President Trump.”

Macron’s remarks underline growing frustration in Europe over the lack of progress, as Western allies had hoped the Alaska Summit might mark a turning point.

Zelenskyy’s response

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also weighed in on the missed deadline. He reminded global audiences that Trump had promised progress within “a week or two” but acknowledged that Russia showed no intention of honoring the timeline.

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine cannot afford delays in peace negotiations, as continued attacks devastate civilian lives and infrastructure. With no resolution in sight, Kyiv remains dependent on Western support to withstand Russia’s military pressure.

Rising tensions and possible next steps

The failure of the peace deadline suggests a likely escalation of diplomatic and economic pressure on Moscow. If Trump proceeds with new sanctions, the US could target key Russian sectors, including energy, banking, and defense. Such measures may increase pressure on Moscow but could also deepen geopolitical rifts between Washington, Moscow, and Beijing.

Meanwhile, Russia’s defiance signals that the war will continue, with little chance of immediate negotiations. This leaves Ukraine caught in a prolonged conflict, facing continued destruction and human suffering.

Conclusion

The missed Ukraine peace deadline marks a setback for the Trump administration’s diplomatic push with Russia. While Trump had signaled optimism during the Alaska Summit, Putin’s refusal to make concessions highlights the challenges of securing peace.

As Macron suggested, the episode risks portraying Trump as being outmaneuvered by Putin, while Zelenskyy’s warnings underscore the cost of inaction. With the US Treasury hinting at imminent sanctions, the coming days will determine whether Washington adopts a harsher stance or seeks renewed diplomatic engagement.

The world now watches to see if Trump will translate his warnings into concrete action against Moscow or if the Ukraine war continues unchecked with devastating consequences.

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