Trump Administration Proposes Sanctions Against Russia for Actions in Ukraine

according to White House officials. The proposed sanctions would target Russian individuals and entities involved in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has seen a recent uptick in violence. The move is seen as a significant shift in the Trump administration's approach to Russia, which has been marked by a friendly tone and reluctance to criticize Putin. The strained relationship between the two leaders has also been exacerbated by Russia's interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election, which has been the subject of ongoing investigations and indictments. The potential sanctions are just one aspect of a larger effort by the U.S. to pressure Russia on multiple fronts, including its support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and its annexation of Crimea. The White House is also considering providing lethal weapons to Ukraine, a move that has long been advocated for by some lawmakers and foreign policy experts. However, the decision to impose sanctions is not yet final and could still face pushback from some within the administration, who fear further escalation of tensions with Russia. Despite this potential roadblock, the proposed sanctions signal a tougher stance towards Russia and a willingness to hold the country accountable for its actions. The announcement of potential sanctions comes as the relationship between the U.S. and Russia appears to be deteriorating, with both countries expelling each other's diplomats in recent months. It remains to be seen how Putin will respond to the potential sanctions, but it is clear that tensions between the two nations are at an all-time high."