After Moscow launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine, US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he is ready to move to a “second phase” of sanctions against Russia, a step that could also affect countries such as India that continue purchasing Russian oil.
The remarks came after Russia carried out one of its heaviest strikes in recent memory, hitting a government complex in Kyiv.
Asked at the White House whether he was prepared for a new round of sanctions targeting Russia or its oil buyers, Trump gave a brief response: “Yeah, I am,” without elaborating further.
His comments highlight growing frustration within his administration as the conflict continues, following failed peace efforts earlier this year to secure a ceasefire.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told NBC that Washington, in coordination with the European Union, could consider imposing “secondary tariffs” on nations importing Russian crude. He argued that only by crippling Russia’s economy could President Vladimir Putin be compelled to come to the negotiating table.
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Last month, Washington slapped a 25 per cent penal tariff on Indian exports to the United States, raising the overall import duty to 50 per cent. Trump has repeatedly accused New Delhi of “fuelling the Russian war machine” and defended the tariffs as a necessary measure.
New Delhi, however, has maintained that its purchases of Russian crude are vital for energy security and has denounced the US actions as unfair. India remains one of the largest buyers of Russia’s energy exports, even as Western nations have sharply cut back in response to the war.
The renewed pressure on countries trading with Moscow comes despite a recent online exchange between Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which hinted at a possible easing of tensions between Washington and New Delhi.
Russia-Ukraine war intensifies
The Russia-Ukraine war escalated on Sunday, with Russia launching its largest aerial assault since the conflict began. Missiles and drones struck Ukraine’s capital, killing four people nationwide and damaging a key government building.
Ukraine’s air force said Russia used 810 drones and decoys in the attack, with 747 drones and four missiles shot down.
Reacting to the bombardment, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is prepared to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace. He also urged Trump to impose harsher sanctions on Moscow to pressure it into ending the war.
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