President Donald Trump is weighing new sanctions against Russia after growing increasingly frustrated with President Vladimir Putin, who has yet to deliver on a promised ceasefire proposal for Ukraine. According to U.S. and White House officials, Putin assured Trump during a recent phone call that Russia would send a “memorandum of peace” outlining its conditions for ending the war — but over a week later, no document has arrived.

Trump, reportedly angered by the continued violence in Ukraine and Moscow’s inaction, is considering punitive measures in the coming days, insiders say. Options have been prepared for weeks but remain unsigned by the president, who confirmed on Sunday that he’s open to further sanctions following Russia’s latest missile and drone attacks.

“He’s killing a lot of people,” Trump said of Putin. “I don’t know what’s wrong with him. What the hell happened to him?”

On Truth Social, Trump added: “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realize is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD. He’s playing with fire!”

Tensions escalated further Tuesday evening on X (formerly Twitter), where Russian security council member Dmitry Medvedev responded to Trump’s post by warning of World War III. “I only know of one REALLY BAD thing — WWIII. I hope Trump understands this!” Medvedev wrote.

Trump’s envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, responded sharply: “Stoking fears of WW III is an unfortunate, reckless comment by @MedvedevRussiaE… President Trump @POTUS is working to stop this war and end the killing. We await receipt of RU Memorandum (Term Sheet) that you promised a week ago. Cease fire now.”

Although Trump has not yet authorized the proposed sanctions, some advisers say he worries that doing so now could drive Russia away from further peace negotiations. In his call with Putin last week, Trump encouraged direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv, with the U.S. and European nations stepping in only as needed.

After the conversation, Trump posted that “the conditions for a ceasefire will be negotiated between the two parties, as it can only be.” The call came just after Ukraine and Russia held their first in-person talks in Turkey. A follow-up memorandum from Russia had been expected shortly after.

While the U.S. awaits the memo, Russian officials insist it is still in the works. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova confirmed Tuesday that Moscow was drafting a document that outlines proposed ceasefire conditions, settlement principles, and a timeline for a broader peace agreement.

“As soon as the memorandum is prepared, it will be handed over to Kyiv,” Zakharova said. “We expect that the Ukrainian side is conducting the same work and will send us its developments simultaneously.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of stalling and manipulating diplomatic efforts. “Putin is just playing games with diplomacy and diplomats,” he said Monday.

Back in Washington, pressure is building from both sides of the aisle for Trump to ramp up pressure on Moscow. Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, co-sponsor of a bipartisan sanctions bill with Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, told CNN that lawmakers are urging immediate action. The bill proposes sweeping penalties, including 500% tariffs on countries that purchase Russian energy.

Blumenthal emphasized that key U.S. allies — including Germany, France, and the UK — have expressed full support for the bill, which could have far-reaching implications for global trade.

Despite earlier hints at a tougher stance, Trump told European leaders in a follow-up call that he was not ready to impose new sanctions, fearing it might derail negotiations. Senator Marco Rubio, now Secretary of State, echoed that sentiment, saying, “If you start threatening sanctions, the Russians will stop talking. There is value in being able to keep them at the table.”

Still, Trump has floated the idea of targeting Russia’s banking sector or enacting secondary sanctions against foreign buyers of Russian energy — options that remain on the table but unconfirmed.

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed cautious optimism that Trump’s recent anger might push him toward firmer action. “President Trump realizes that when President Putin says he’s ready for peace, he lies,” Macron said Monday. “We’ve seen Donald Trump express his impatience. I hope this now becomes action.”