Putin may face onset of economic collapse in three days — diplomat

Diplomat Volodymyr Ohryzko, the head of the Center for Russian Studies, stated this on Espreso TV.

"I think Trump's team needs to recognize that they shouldn't say things that aren't true. Here, I'm subtly referring to what Rubio recently said about the Americans having exhausted all possible sanctions. But then Trump comes out and says, 'I'm about to do something to you that you'll regret.' Therefore, in my view, Trump has all the leverage he needs to quickly bring Putin to the negotiating table and, forgive my slang, make him stop playing games and state clearly what needs to be done," the diplomat noted.

In his opinion, if by November 21, which is just three days away, Trump doesn't change his mind, postpone, reconsider, or lift the sanctions, then Putin will face a period that is destined to end in the collapse of his economy.

"I think that after this, real conversations, practical discussions, and genuine negotiations will begin. Until that happens, all other talks are just as meaningless," Volodymyr Ohryzko concluded.

• The White House confirmed on Monday that President Donald Trump is prepared to sign legislation imposing new sanctions on Russia, provided the bill explicitly grants him the ultimate authority to oversee and waive the measures.