Trump needs to impose more Russia sanctions now, Latvian foreign minister urges
But Russia still preserves its ability to keep fighting 'for a while,' she warned, saying the West must immediately ramp up pressure on Moscow to try to force it to the negotiating table. Imposing sanctions without delay would be a way to do that.
The U.S. and its allies must make sure 'Russia understands that it's not going to do better, but worse with every day,' she said. 'We're seeing that already, the Russian economy is not doing well.'
Asked Tuesday why he would give Putin two months to accede to his demands, Trump said he could move more quickly.
'I don't think 50 days is very long. It could be sooner than that,' Trump said.
Braže said sanctions could have a real impact on the battlefield.
'What we are looking for is pressure on Russia and weakening Russia's ability to conduct warfare. It's not about the Russian people,' she said. 'It's about the Russian war fighting capacity and what they are doing on the battlefield, that all needs to be weakened.'
Intelligence assessments broadly conclude that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not interested in ending the war, she added. U.S. intelligence reached that conclusion earlier this year as negotiations have dragged on.
'The intel and overall assessment has been aligned among the allies, including the Americans, that there is no indication that Putin wants peace,' she said.
Trump has come to the same conclusion after trying to keep the door open for Russia, she argued.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
9 minutes ago
- New York Post
NYC Mayor Eric Adams: ‘I have not asked' for Trump's help getting re-elected and president hasn't offered
President Trump has yet to make overtures to assist Mayor Adams' re-election bid — and Hizzoner isn't counting on it. Trump recently hailed Adams' re-election bid and many of the commander-in-chief's supporters continue to pressure Republican Curtis Sliwa to drop out of the race and prevent a victory by 'communist lunatic' Zohran Mamdani. But Adams told The Post 'I have not asked him for [an endorsement or help], and he has not interfered with this race at all.' 5 Mayor Eric Adams says President Donald Trump has yet to make overtures to assist his re-election bid – and he's not counting on it. J.C. Rice Adams faces an serious uphill battle to get re-elected — with a series of recent polls having him in a distant third or fourth place, more than 20 points behind Democratic nominee and frontrunner Mamdani. Adams, however, expressed confidence he'll pull off an upset win in November, even if Sliwa and former Gov. Andrew Cuomo — a registered Democrat like Adams also running as an independent — remain in the race. 'I got to win the race based on what I do best, and that's campaign,' said Adams during an interview Thursday on the backyard porch of Gracie Mansion. The trio are jockeying for the votes of moderate Dems and Republicans, as well as the largest swath of the independent voters. Cuomo and Adams have repeatedly called for each other to drop out of the race, claiming only they can stave off the young far-left socialist from being handed the keys to New York City. Adams, who has repeatedly cozied up to the president, skirted questions about whether he'd even want a Trump endorsement considering Dems outnumber Republicans 6-1 in the city. 5 Trump has declined to comment who he will support NYC mayor, instead telling reporters earlier this week, 'I don't want to say.' AFP via Getty Images However, he wondered out loud why Cuomo didn't get the same criticism he received from lefty critics after Trump on Tuesday said the ex-governor should stay in the race because he 'has a shot' to beat Mamdani and prevent a 'communist' from running NYC. Trump declined to say who he would support, instead telling reporters on the White House lawn, 'I don't want to say.' Adams also skirted questions on whether he'd accept the Republican line if it became available. For that scenario to play out, Sliwa, 71, under state election law, would either first have to accept a federal appointment or die. There's also some precedent for him to be removed from the ballot if he moves out of Gotham and alerts election officials he can't serve as mayor. Adams would then need the backing of at least three of the five Republican county chairs to replace Sliwa on the Republican line. 5 Socialist Queens Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani is frontrunner to become NYC's next mayor. Paul Martinka Sliwa, however, insists he remains all in on his mayoral bid — even though he's not expecting a Trump endorsement based on past bad blood between the two. Although Trump has yet to reach out to Adams, he has repeatedly blasted Mamdani after the socialist's stunning upset in New York's Democratic mayoral primary last month. 'Democrats have crossed the line by elevating a 100% Communist Lunatic,' Trump railed in a Truth Social post on June 25. Adams has repeatedly come under fire from his party's far-left faction for having a good working relationship with the Republican president. 5 Ex-Mayor Bill de Blasio said Adams should avoid a Trump endorsement if he wants to be re-elected. William Farrington Some pols and political pundits say Adams could see a significant bump in support from Trump-loving Republicans and moderate Democrats if the president offered the mayor his support. 'Moderates Democrats might have a problem with Trump, but they're more likely to have a bigger problem with Mamdani,' said Hank Sheinkopf, a longtime Democratic consultant. 'They might look at Adams and say he's a [retired NYPD] cop and understands all our problems.' Yet Adams should expect little support from New Yorkers who voted for Mamdani in the Democratic primary — especially if Trump endorses him, Sheinkopf added. Far-left ex-NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio agreed, adding a potential endorsement from Trump would all but doom Adams' re-election campaign. De Blasio told The Post his advice for any candidate in the left-leaning Metropolis — including Adams — is 'you're going to lose more than you gain' with a Trump endorsement, considering only 30% of NYC voters supported Trump in last year's presidential election. 5 Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo — a registered Democrat like Adams — also is running for mayor as an independent. John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock 'It's simply bad math: Two-thirds of New Yorkers would react badly to someone they saw affiliated with Trump . . . so you lose a bunch of Democrats,' said de Blasio, an avid supporter of the 33-year-old Mamdani. 'It's not 2001 where a Democratic Michael Bloomberg took on the Republican [mayoral] line sort of in a fusion way like we used to have where a moderate Republican could be acceptable to a certain number of Democrats,' he said. 'This is a whole different reality because of Trumpism. People have just hardened on their positions, so I don't see how it adds up.'
Business Insider
10 minutes ago
- Business Insider
Navigating headwinds: Nigeria's economic outlook for H2 2025
As the second half of 2025 begins, Nigeria finds itself at a critical economic crossroads. With mixed signals emerging from both global and local environments, policymakers, business leaders, and financial institutions must prepare for a delicate balancing act. From shifting geopolitical dynamics to domestic fiscal pressures, the outlook for H2 2025 is characterized by uncertainty but also opportunity. FSDH's latest macroeconomic update, titled 'Balancing on the Edge in a Fragile World,' provides timely insights into what lies ahead and how stakeholders can navigate this complex terrain. Globally, two major developments have reshaped the economic outlook: the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency and the escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict. Trump's reintroduction of import tariffs—10% across the board, with additional levies on selected countries—has renewed global trade tensions, undermined multilateralism, and triggered capital flow reversals to emerging markets. Meanwhile, the Middle East conflict has disrupted oil supply routes, increased freight costs, and spurred volatility in global commodity prices. These external shocks have led the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to revise its global GDP growth forecast downward to 2.8% in 2025, from an earlier 3.3%. Although Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to grow by 3.8%, driven by structural reforms and improved export performance; however the region remains vulnerable to external shocks, especially in energy markets and financial flows. Domestic Realities: Falling Short of Oil Expectations Nigeria, still heavily reliant on oil, has felt the weight of these developments. Despite commendable efforts to diversify her export base, oil remains the lifeblood of government revenue. The Federal Government's ₦54.99 trillion 2025 budget was benchmarked at US$75 per barrel and 2.06 million barrels per day in production. However, actual performance in H1 2025 has fallen short, with oil prices averaging US$72 per barrel and production consistently below target. This has created a growing fiscal gap and raised questions about Nigeria's ability to meet her ₦35 trillion revenue projection. Positive Signs: PMI Growth and Inflation Tapering Despite these challenges, there are positive signals in the local economy. The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), a reliable indicator of economic activity, remained above 50 points between January and May 2025, indicating expansion in key sectors such as agriculture, industry, and services. Inflation, while still high, has begun to decline—from 24.5% in January 2025 to 23% by May 2025—thanks to the combination of improved food supply, relative exchange rate stability, and methodological adjustments by the National Bureau of Statistics. Exchange Rate Stability: Progress or Pause? Exchange rate dynamics have also shown signs of stabilisation. The Naira stood at ₦1,539/US$ as of June 2025, reflecting only a marginal 0.2% depreciation year-to-date. The 'willing buyer, willing seller' FX policy has improved transparency and market confidence, although Nigeria's external reserves declined by 8.5% in H1—from US$40.9 billion to US$37.3 billion—due to rising import bills and debt repayments. FSDH projects that exchange rate stability will depend on continued FX inflows, investor confidence, and fiscal discipline. With oil prices expected to hover around US$75-US$78 per barrel, maintaining production and boosting non-oil exports will be critical. Analysts caution that a renewed slump in oil output or a further deterioration in global trade conditions could reignite currency volatility. Fiscal Reform in Focus: Tax Administration Shake-Up A major turning point in H1 2025 came in June, when President Tinubu signed four transformational tax reform bills into law. These include the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Joint Revenue Board Act, and Nigeria Revenue Service Act. Collectively, these reforms aim to harmonise tax administration, improve compliance, and empower a new, independent national revenue service. Highlights of the reforms include raising the Capital Gains Tax for corporates from 10% to 30%, introducing a Development Levy on large firms, zero-rating VAT for essential goods, and exempting small businesses with under ₦100 million turnover from filing taxes. The reforms are expected to grow Nigeria's tax-to-GDP ratio from 10% to 18% within three years. While implementation remains a hurdle—especially at state and local levels—this marks a significant shift in Nigeria's revenue strategy. In the capital markets, optimism is quietly building. The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) posted a 16.6% year-to-date return as of June 2025, outperforming many global indices. Banking and consumer goods stocks led gains, buoyed by strong corporate earnings and macro reforms. Treasury Bill yields and long-term bond rates have declined, signaling renewed investor appetite for Nigerian assets. Foreign Portfolio Investments (FPIs) flows have increased significantly, hitting US$5.46 billion in Q1—a 67% jump from the previous quarter. This resurgence has been fueled by FX reform, positive real interest rates, and improved clarity on policy direction. However, the risk of 'hot money' outflows remains, underscoring the need for deeper, longer-term capital investments. Strategic Priorities for H2 2025 Looking ahead, FSDH outlined several strategic imperatives for economic stakeholders in H2 2025. First, there is an urgent need to boost oil production, not just to meet budget benchmarks, but to enhance export earnings. Second, the country must deepen its non-oil export capabilities, especially in agriculture and manufacturing, to diversify FX sources. Third, unlocking private-sector credit by reducing the high Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) remains key to real sector growth. Fourth, leveraging ongoing tax reforms to enhance state-level revenue and improve the business climate is vital. Importantly, Nigeria's digital economy and financial technology space also hold promise. The integration of AI, open banking frameworks, and digital payment systems are transforming how financial services are delivered. FSDH notes that institutions that embed digital transformation into their service models will lead in agility, customer retention, and market expansion. Cautious Optimism: Nigeria's Path Forward While global risks remain—from U.S. monetary policy to geopolitical tensions and potential oil shocks—Nigeria has the tools to stay on a path of gradual stabilisation. The success of H2 2025 will depend on disciplined execution of reforms, coordinated fiscal and monetary policy, and institutional accountability. Nigeria's economic outlook for the rest of 2025 is cautiously optimistic. Inflation is expected to decline further which may allow for monetary easing later in the year. The Naira is likely to remain within the current range, while GDP growth will be modest, driven by agriculture, services, and rising investor interest. Structural reforms are beginning to take root, but the second half of the year will require political will, macroprudential discipline, and bold leadership. And as FSDH aptly notes in its report, 'Resilience is not just about surviving the storm; it's about building structures that thrive within it.' Nigeria has the opportunity to prove that in H2 2025.
The Hill
39 minutes ago
- The Hill
The ugly truth about the student loan caps in Trump's ‘big beautiful' law
New federal student loan caps pose an urgent and overlooked threat to the health of all Americans. These changes will severely undermine the graduate education pipeline for the clinician workforce — including both nurses and physicians— jeopardizing access to care, straining the workforce and, ultimately, harming patients. The bill, now signed into law, will cap graduate unsubsidized student loans at $20,500, with a $100,000 total cap on top of undergrad loans, and phase out Grad PLUS loans. These changes are especially detrimental for those pursuing clinician roles, such as nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners play a crucial role, filling gaps in primary care — especially in rural and underserved communities. Their presence expands access, relieves pressure on healthcare systems and allows physicians to focus on the most complex cases. Graduate education is not optional for becoming a nurse practitioner. Nor is it optional for becoming faculty to teach the next generation of physicians and nurses. Weakening the pipeline of advanced practice nurses doesn't just hurt nursing, it threatens the entire care delivery system. For nursing, this is a moment where education is already strained. Nurses have left the profession en masse since the COVID-19 pandemic and older nurses are retiring. We urgently need more nurses and nurse educators in the pipeline. Yet in 2023, enrollment in bachelor's-level nursing programs grew by just 0.3 percent. Meanwhile, enrollment in master's and Ph.D. nursing programs declined by 0.9 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively. That same year, U.S. nursing schools turned away more than 65,000 qualified applications due to a lack of faculty, clinical placements and funding — not because of a lack of interest. Faculty shortages are especially dire. Nearly 2,000 full-time faculty vacancies remain unfilled nationwide, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. These positions require a master's or doctoral degree — precisely the kind of education now placed at risk by this legislation. Without nurse educators, we cannot train the next generation of nurses at any level. This law also directly contradicts the Make America Healthy Again initiative, which calls on healthcare systems to take on chronic disease through prevention. Nurses make up the largest segment of the healthcare workforce. Their education emphasizes prevention and whole-person care for people and communities. Nurses are central to the shift from reactive 'sick care' to proactive prevention, so restricting their ability to enter the profession is not just shortsighted, it's self-defeating. A diminished nursing workforce will trigger a familiar cycle: reduced access, longer wait times, more chronic disease and an even more overwhelmed workforce. And these consequences won't be limited to nurses — they will affect physicians, hospitals, insurers and, most of all, everyday Americans. This is a national health issue. While the bill has passed, it is not too late to mitigate its harm. Policymakers must find alternative solutions, from scholarship expansion to loan forgiveness, to ensure access to graduate nursing education remains within reach. We cannot solve a workforce shortage and a chronic disease crisis by cutting off the professionals trained to fix it.
