Trump cancels second Putin summit, imposes major new sanctions on Russia

President Donald Trump says his planned second summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin is off.

(NBC)- President Donald Trump says his planned second summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin is off, citing doubts that talks would lead to peace in Ukraine.

“It didn’t feel right to meet,” Trump told reporters. “It didn’t feel like we were going to get to the place we have to get.”

Instead, the White House is tightening the screws on Moscow — imposing new sanctions against Russia’s two largest oil companies, part of what Trump called “massive sanctions” intended to force President Putin to the negotiating table.

The Treasury Department said the penalties reflect Russia’s “lack of a serious commitment to a peace process.”

Lawmakers in both parties have been calling for tougher measures against the Kremlin. Republicans praised the move, saying it was long overdue. “You have to compel Russia to engage in the peace process,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). “They’ve shown they cannot be trusted.”

But Democrats argue the administration’s steps don’t go far enough. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) urged the president to support a broader bipartisan sanctions bill and approve another round of weapons for Ukraine. “Until Trump backs the bill that puts real sanctions on Russia — and another round of weapons to Ukraine — it’s a good day every day for Vladimir Putin,” Murphy said.

The escalation comes after a deadly week in Ukraine, where Russian airstrikes reportedly hit a kindergarten, killing and injuring civilians, including children.

At the same time, President Vladimir Putin oversaw a nuclear exercise, heightening tensions further.

Meanwhile, President Trump met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who pledged increased economic pressure from Europe through another round of sanctions packages coordinated with the U.S.