Ukraine Urges Trump to “Strangle” Russia’s Economy Amid New Nuclear Threats

• Ukraine Demands Stronger Sanctions on Russia
• Trump Threatens Nuclear Submarines
• Russia Escalates Drone Attacks

According to ABC News, the Ukrainian government intensified its call this weekend for the United States to impose tougher economic sanctions on Russia.

Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, urged Washington to enforce secondary sanctions on Moscow’s trade partners.

“The Russian economic system cannot withstand the pressure,” Yermak wrote on Telegram, highlighting a collapse in Russia’s rail transport capacity over the past 12 months.

According to Yermak, Russia is keeping its war economy afloat solely through energy exports.

Sanctions on Russia Must Be Expanded

He added that it is crucial to cut off these revenue sources by implementing the tariffs proposed by the United States.

Yermak’s statements come as the White House weighs more aggressive sanctions under pressure from President Donald Trump.

On July 14, Trump announced that he was giving Putin 50 days to reach a ceasefire with Ukraine.

But on July 29, he drastically reduced that window to just 10 days, expressing frustration over Russia’s continued missile and drone attacks.

Trump’s Ultimatum Divides Opinion

The new deadline expires on August 8.

In Kyiv, this ultimatum has been interpreted as a sign that Washington might again take a more active role in supporting Ukraine.

The conflict, now in its fourth year, continues with heavy fighting in the east and south of the country along a 600-mile front.

From Moscow, the official response was restrained, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov avoiding verbal confrontation.

Nuclear Threat Heightens Global Tensions

However, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, now deputy chairman of the Security Council, was far more aggressive.

Medvedev called Trump’s ultimatum “a direct threat” and “a step toward war,” not just with Ukraine but with the United States.

In response to those statements, Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines to “appropriate regions.”

“The former president of Russia issued a threat, and we are going to protect our people,” Trump said.

Zelenskyy Calls for Total Economic Pressure

Medvedev has become one of the most belligerent voices within Putin’s security circle.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials continue to insist that Russia has no intention of negotiating a peaceful solution.

Zelenskyy stated that ceasefire proposals have been presented many times by both Ukraine and the United States.

“The only response has been to buy time to continue the war and terrorism,” he wrote on Telegram.

Sanctions on Russia Must Be Globalized

Therefore, Zelenskyy added, it is essential that new sanctions target not only the Russian state but also the financial networks sustaining it.

“The world must monitor all the schemes that feed the Russian budget,” he concluded.

Despite international pressure, long-range attacks continue on both sides.

July ended with a record number of Russian aggressions: over 6,400 missiles and drones were launched against Ukraine.

Tech Warfare Escalates on Both Fronts

For its part, Moscow claimed to have shot down 3,008 Ukrainian drones in the same month.

On Sunday alone, Ukraine’s air force reported a new attack involving 76 drones and seven Russian missiles.

Of these, they managed to neutralize 60 drones and one missile, but six missiles and 16 drones hit at least eight towns.

In Mykolaiv, a missile injured seven people and destroyed three homes, according to the local military administration.

Ukraine and Russia Cross New Lines

Another 37 buildings were damaged in the same city.

On the Russian side, the Defense Ministry reported destroying at least 96 Ukrainian drones overnight.

Temporary restrictions were also reported at airports in St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Pskov, and Sochi.

In Sochi, drone debris caused a fire at a major oil storage facility.