Trump signals willingness to expand sanctions on Russia
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New York: US President Donald Trump has indicated that he is prepared to move forward with a new round of sanctions against Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine, though he offered no details on what measures may be taken.
When asked in Washington on Sunday whether he was ready to initiate the second phase of sanctions, Trump replied briefly, “Yeah, I am.”
The president did not elaborate, but last month he had hinted at potential action against China for continuing to buy Russian oil, saying he might “have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something might have to "in two or three weeks.” While China has so far avoided penalties, India has already been targeted, with Washington imposing a 25 per cent tariff on its oil purchases from Moscow.
It has been over three weeks since Trump met Russian President Vladimir Putin in an effort to push for peace talks. However, a proposed meeting between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not materialized, and Russian strikes on Ukraine have only intensified.
White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said the escalation of Russian attacks had triggered renewed discussions on the scope and timing of additional sanctions. “It's up to the president in the end. But yes, it's a very disappointing set of affairs,” he told CBS News.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested that Washington was seeking European Union (EU) support to enforce secondary sanctions on countries purchasing Russian oil, arguing that such coordinated pressure could cripple Russia’s economy and force President Putin to the negotiating table.
However, the EU’s own energy imports from Russia, both directly and indirectly via Indian refined products, complicate its ability to back such measures. “We are prepared to increase pressure on Russia, but we need our European partners to follow us,” Bessent said.
Zelensky, in an interview with ABC News, criticized Europe’s continued energy trade with Moscow, calling it unfair. He also backed Washington’s decision to impose punitive tariffs on India. “I think the idea to put tariffs on the countries who continue make deals with Russia, I think this is right idea,” he said.
The remarks followed Trump’s recent post on Truth Social, where he expressed concern after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, writing: “Looks like we've lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China.”