Thu Jan 23 18:47:42 UTC 2025: ## Trump’s Renewed Sanctions Threat Against Russia Draws Unfazed Response from Kremlin
**MOSCOW, RUSSIA** – The Kremlin has downplayed former US President Donald Trump’s renewed threat to impose sweeping sanctions and tariffs on Russia unless it ends its involvement in the Ukraine conflict. Trump, in comments made Wednesday, vowed to levy “high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions” on Russian goods sold to the US and other countries if a deal isn’t reached soon. He controversially framed this action as a “big favor” to Russia and President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed Trump’s threat, stating that the approach was nothing new, citing Trump’s previous use of sanctions against Russia during his first presidential term. “We do not see any particularly new elements here,” Peskov told reporters. “He likes these methods, at least he liked them during his first presidency.”
While acknowledging that Moscow is closely monitoring Trump’s statements and “carefully recording all the nuances,” Peskov reiterated Russia’s willingness to engage in “equal dialogue, for mutually respectful dialogue,” echoing President Putin’s previous calls for diplomatic engagement. He added that Moscow is awaiting further signals from the US side regarding any potential communication.
Trump, who recently asserted that the Ukraine conflict is devastating Russia, has indicated plans to speak with Putin soon. The Kremlin’s reaction suggests a measured, if somewhat dismissive, response to the former president’s latest pronouncements on the ongoing war.
First Piper 