Under Russia's leader Putin, Ukraine issues an emphatic request to President Trump
Ukraine's demands towards the U.S. government are focused on intensifying and expanding sanctions against Russia, with a particular emphasis on Russia's energy sector. This move is aimed at preventing Russia from gaining a military or territorial advantage and stopping Russia from rearming for potential large-scale attacks.
The context behind these demands is the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Russia has been ramping up drone and missile production in 2025, preparing for intensified strikes against Ukraine, and demanding Ukrainian cession of eastern territories including Donbas and Crimea. Ukraine insists on continued Western support, including tougher sanctions, to block Russia’s wartime economy and limit its ability to resupply and sustain military operations.
The U.S. is reportedly seeking a truce deal that could formalize Russian control over occupied Ukrainian territories, a proposal that Ukraine views as a major concession under pressure from diplomatic negotiations involving the U.S. and Russia. Thus, Ukraine’s appeals to the U.S. emphasize avoiding any deal that legitimizes territorial losses or weakens sanctions, insisting instead on strong economic and military measures to sustain Ukraine’s defense and bargaining position.
Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian Presidential Administration, has written a guest article in the Washington Post, calling for comprehensive sanctions against key Russian entities such as Rosatom, Roscosmos, Gazprombank, and the military-industrial complex. He also suggests that these entities should be excluded from cooperation with Western scientific and academic institutions.
The proposed sanctions would not only target Russia's military-industrial complex but also impose a 500 percent tariff on Russian goods. China and India, the two largest buyers of Russian products, would also face a 100 percent surcharge, which could have drastic consequences for India's economic power, given that the USA is India's most important export partner, accounting for 17.6% of exports in 2023.
However, the U.S. senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal have a sanctions law that would imply such measures, but President Trump is blocking it from being put to a vote. The existing sanctions law is not being considered in either the Senate or the House of Representatives, effectively killing it. The Ukrainian government is urging a full economic blockade of Russia.
As the grace period for Russian President Putin ends on August 8, the threat of tariffs imposed by Trump looms. It is suggested that Trump may be hoping for a change of heart from Putin and his partners under the threat of tariffs. However, the outcome remains uncertain as the U.S. continues to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape of the ongoing conflict.
[1] "Russia scales up drone and missile production for potential Ukrainian attacks" - The New York Times, 2025. [2] "U.S. seeks truce deal legitimizing Russian control over occupied territories" - The Washington Post, 2025. [3] "Ukraine demands tougher sanctions and immediate weapon deliveries to resist Russian advances" - BBC News, 2025.
- In response to Russia's escalating war-and-conflicts with Ukraine and its increased drone and missile production, the Ukrainian government has called for policy-and-legislation that includes comprehensive sanctions against key Russian entities like Rosatom, Roscosmos, Gazprombank, and the military-industrial complex, with the aim of limiting Russia's military capabilities and sustaining Ukraine's defense.
- As the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues, politics play a significant role in diplomatic negotiations involving the U.S. and Russia, with Ukraine insisting on strong economic and military measures, such as a 500 percent tariff on Russian goods and the exclusion of Russian entities from cooperation with Western scientific and academic institutions, to block Russia’s wartime economy and maintain Ukraine’s bargaining position.
- Amidst the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, general-news outlets report increasing demands for tougher sanctions from Ukraine, along with immediate weapon deliveries, as a means to resist Russian advances and prevent potential large-scale attacks, particularly in view of the U.S.'s reported proposal for a truce deal that could legitimize territorial losses. Crime-and-justice risks are also a concern as economic sanctions could have drastic consequences for regions heavily reliant on trade with Russia, such as India.
