In a surprise plot twist worthy of a hit series, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he has canceled his much-anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump told reporters at the White House that he just didn't feel right moving forward, but left the door open for a future sit-down. 🤝
This U-turn came after a phone call with Putin last week that had raised hopes of a breakthrough on ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Trump admitted he didn't want a wasted meeting, hinting he's holding out for real-yield conversations, not just photo ops.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department unleashed a fresh round of sanctions on Russia's two biggest oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, aiming to crank up the pressure for an immediate Ukraine ceasefire. 🛢️⚡ Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged allies to join in, warning more steps are ready to roll if needed.
In the first half of this year, Rosneft and Lukoil pumped nearly half of Russia's crude oil exports—about 2.2 million barrels a day—making them prime targets for U.S.-led measures. The U.S. and its allies have imposed multiple rounds of financial and trade sanctions on Russia since the conflict began in early 2022.
For now, the world watches as geopolitics plays out like a high-stakes drama: will dialogue return to center stage, or will sanctions take the lead? Stay tuned for the next episode. 🎬🌍
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
