23.10.2025 19:11
The first response from Moscow came after the U.S. decided to impose heavy sanctions on Russia. In a statement, Russian President Putin said, "Sanctions will negatively affect our relations with the U.S.; we want dialogue to continue."
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Tensions between the United States (US) and Russia are escalating. Most recently, the announcement that the US will impose sanctions on Russia has made headlines worldwide.
US Treasury Secretary stated, "Sanctions on Russia will significantly increase. We will begin to impose very serious sanctions on Russia either after the stock markets close today or first thing tomorrow."
PUTIN'S FIRST COMMENT
The first response from Moscow came after the US decided to impose heavy sanctions on Russia. Russian President Putin stated, "Sanctions will negatively affect our relations with the US; we want to continue the dialogue."
EU ALSO APPROVED THE 19TH SANCTIONS PACKAGE
Meanwhile, following the US, there was bad news for Putin from the European Union (EU). The EU announced that it has approved the 19th sanctions package against Russia.
In a statement regarding the matter, it was expressed, "We are pleased to announce that we have just received notification from the only remaining member state that it will withdraw its objection to the 19th sanctions package. Following this, a written procedure has been initiated for Council approval. If no objections are received, the package will be accepted by 08:00 tomorrow morning."
Last week, after the EU countries reached a consensus on the final text, the last country that did not approve the sanctions package was Slovakia. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico had requested assurances from the European Commission regarding high energy prices and the alignment of climate goals with the needs of vehicle manufacturers and heavy industry before approving the sanctions package. A Slovak diplomat stated that the country's demands were met through new provisions added to the final declaration of the upcoming EU leaders' summit.
"I DON'T WANT A FRUITLESS MEETING WITH PUTIN"
In a statement made the day before, Trump used striking expressions regarding his meeting with Putin. Trump said, "I haven't made a decision yet. But I don't want a fruitless meeting with Putin."
WHAT HAPPENED?
On October 16, US President Donald Trump spoke on the phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed issues related to the Ukraine crisis during the approximately 2.5-hour conversation. Trump announced that there would be a "High-Level Advisors" meeting involving US Secretary of State Marco Rubio between the two countries, and then he would meet with Putin in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. Trump later indicated that this meeting with Putin could take place "within two weeks."
On October 17, Trump, who hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, did not give the green light for sending Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, stating, "We also need Tomahawk missiles. We have sent a lot to Ukraine over the past four years; the situation is different now. I hope they won't need them. I hope we can end the war without needing Tomahawk missiles. I think we are quite close to that."
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