Donald Trump has made a bold threat to Russia over the conflict with Ukraine. The United States president has given Moscow 50 days to end the war or he’ll impose sanctions.

So far, sanctions have been ineffective at accomplishing much of anything, so right off the bat, this is an empty threat.

Western Attempts At Crippling Russia’s Economy With Sanctions Have FAILED, Warns Putin

On Monday, the US ruler said he was “very, very unhappy” with Russia, warning of “severe” secondary tariffs of up to 100% if no progress in diplomacy is reached soon. Trump, however, left the door open to talks with Moscow, saying that while he is “disappointed” in Russian President Vladimir Putin, he is “not done with him.”

Moscow said it needed time to process Trump’s empty threat. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Peskov described Trump’s remarks as “quite serious.” “We undoubtedly need time to analyze what was said in Washington. And if and when President Putin deems it necessary, he will certainly comment on it,” Peskov said.

According to a report by RT, the spokesman stated that the recent shift in Trump’s position will not be interpreted in Kyiv as a call for peace; instead, Ukraine will take this as an opportunity to prolong the war and avoid any prospect of a ceasefire deal.  “It seems that such decisions that are being made in Washington, in NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) countries, and directly in Brussels are perceived by the Ukrainian side not as a signal toward peace, but as a signal to continue the war,” he stated.

Trump appears to be hanging all the options over Putin’s head, committing to arming Ukraine, and involving the U.S. in a war on a side that cannot win.

Russia has said over and over again that no amount of Western interference and military aid will change the outcome of the war. For all intents and purposes, Russia does appear to be destined to win this one, especially in light of ridiculous comments and threats of tariffs and sanctions by those who’ve already overplayed their hands in the West.

Trump’s threat also poses the possibility of an economic war, should he actually follow through with more sanctions and tariffs. Despite not being involved in any new wars, the U.S. continues to find new ways to become entangled in existing conflicts.