United States President Donald Trump is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin over delays in progressing toward a comprehensive ceasefire. According to a report by Fox News on Tuesday, sources indicate that Trump believes Putin is intentionally slowing the pace of ceasefire negotiations.

The perceived stalling has prompted the Trump administration to consider stronger measures in response. Sources claim that among the options being discussed is a more aggressive enforcement of sanctions targeting Russia's so-called "shadow fleet"—a network of vessels allegedly used to bypass sanctions and conduct illegal oil sales.

Currently, the enforcement of these sanctions is described as being at “level 3 out of 10,” implying limited impact. With the majority of Russia’s illicit oil trade—approximately 70%—relying on this shadow fleet, officials believe that intensifying enforcement could strike a significant blow to Russia’s sanctioned revenue streams.

The potential shift in U.S. policy would mark a considerable escalation in efforts to pressure Moscow. It also reflects mounting concerns within the Trump administration over the prolonged nature of the conflict and the lack of concrete progress in diplomatic talks.

While the White House has not officially confirmed the next steps, the internal discussions underscore Trump’s dissatisfaction with Putin’s approach and the broader strategy to hold Russia accountable for extending the conflict. Enhanced sanctions enforcement could be among several forthcoming actions if the situation remains unchanged.

The use of economic tools like sanctions continues to be a key element in Trump’s foreign policy framework, particularly in dealing with adversarial states. As diplomatic frustration grows, Washington may lean further into these mechanisms to influence outcomes on the ground and reinforce its stance in global negotiations.

Observers now await whether these internal deliberations will result in concrete policy decisions in the coming days, especially as ceasefire discussions remain at a standstill and the conflict endures.