Putin sent brutal 5-word warning as Trump eyes crippling move on Russia

As the war in Ukraine grinds on with no diplomatic resolution in sight, the White House has reportedly made multiple offers to meet some of Russia's security concerns—but so far, the Kremlin has not responded with serious interest. Instead, Russian President Vladimir Putin appears intent on continuing military operations, confident that his long-term objectives in Ukraine remain within reach.

Amid growing frustration over the lack of progress, former U.S. President Donald Trump and his allies have escalated their rhetoric. In a recent White House cabinet meeting, Trump expressed irritation at what he described as Putin's refusal to engage in good-faith negotiations, reportedly stating:

“We get a lot of nonsense thrown at us by Putin.”

Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of Trump, echoed this frustration in a weekend interview on Fox News. The South Carolina senator warned that Putin could soon face significant economic retaliation not just from the U.S., but from a coalition of nations increasingly unwilling to support Russia’s energy exports.

Graham outlined a potential policy response that includes imposing 100% tariffs on countries continuing to purchase Russian oil—specifically naming China, India, and Brazil, who together account for a substantial share of Russian energy revenue. He argued that such measures would cut directly into the resources funding Russia’s military operations.

“Putin can withstand sanctions and domestic losses,” Graham said, “but if his key trading partners are forced to choose between access to the U.S. economy and continued support for Russia, the pressure could be decisive.”

He added that the administration is preparing to raise the economic stakes for any country that indirectly enables Russia’s war effort through energy imports.

The proposal marks a significant shift in the West’s strategy—from penalizing Russia directly to targeting nations that help sustain its wartime economy. Critics of this strategy caution that such tariffs could have broad consequences for global trade, while supporters argue that isolating Russia's oil exports may be the most effective way to curb the ongoing violence.

Despite international sanctions and diplomatic efforts, Putin has so far shown little indication of backing down. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy continues to call on the global community for stronger military and economic support, insisting that Ukraine will not surrender its sovereignty.

As tensions escalate, the question remains: will intensified economic pressure be enough to bring Putin to the negotiating table—or will it deepen the geopolitical divide even further?