WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he was ready to impose a second phase of sanctions on Russia, signalling a possible escalation in Washington’s response to the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters outside the White House, Trump was asked whether he was ready to escalate punitive measures against Moscow.
“Yeah, I am,” he replied, without providing further details. His remarks mark the clearest indication yet that Washington may be considering tougher economic actions, though he did not specify what the next phase would involve.
The comments came after Trump defended his record on Russia earlier in the week, pointing to tariffs imposed on India’s exports to the United States in retaliation for New Delhi’s continued purchases of Russian oil.
“That cost hundreds of billions of dollars to Russia,” he said on Wednesday. “You call that no action? And I haven’t done phase two yet or phase three.”
India has emerged as a major buyer of Russian energy exports since Western nations reduced their purchases in response to the Ukraine war.
Trump has previously warned Moscow of additional sanctions but has held back as he pursued avenues for peace talks.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that Washington, in coordination with the European Union, could target countries purchasing Russian oil with “secondary tariffs.”
He argued that such measures could push Russia’s economy “to the brink of collapse” and increase pressure on President Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiating table.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for clarification on Trump’s latest remarks, Reuters reported.
Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in ending the conflict, which he had pledged to resolve swiftly upon taking office in January.
