US tariffs and sanctions alone are not enough to force Russia into peace - ISW

The report highlighted that US officials continue to acknowledge Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s unwillingness to commit to a full ceasefire in Ukraine.

On April 1, Reuters reported, citing sources, that senior officials in President Donald Trump’s administration discussed the likelihood that the US would not be able to secure a long-term peace deal in Ukraine in the coming months. As a result, they are preparing alternative plans to pressure both Moscow and Kyiv into reaching an agreement.

According to Reuters, Trump administration officials admitted that Putin is actively resisting US efforts toward a peace agreement. A series of meetings and phone calls on March 29–30 focused on exploring potential mechanisms for bringing Russia back to the negotiating table.

One senior US official noted that the White House is considering additional tariffs and sanctions against Russia.

Recently, Trump said he is weighing further sanctions on Russian oil. He also spoke of an undefined “psychological deadline” by which Russia must agree to a broad ceasefire deal, ISW reminded.

“The United States or the West cannot exert maximum pressure on Russia through economic tools alone, because Russia’s current and projected economic struggles are closely tied to its battlefield losses,” the ISW report wrote.

"The US could exploit Russia’s vulnerabilities and gain a stronger negotiating position by continuing or increasing military aid to Ukraine. This would enable Ukraine’s armed forces to inflict greater losses on Russian manpower and equipment."

On March 18, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he was tasked with reviewing the sanctions regime against Russia and preparing to tighten restrictions if necessary.

Bessent claimed that previous energy-related sanctions under the Biden administration were “very weak.”

On March 30, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said after meeting with Trump that the US is preparing sanctions against Russia in case it refuses or violates a ceasefire agreement.