Trump says he is ready to move ahead with second stage of Russia sanctions

President Donald Trump indicated he is prepared to escalate sanctions on Russia as the conflict in Ukraine continues.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he is prepared to move forward with a second round of sanctions on Russia, signalling a shift toward increased pressure on Moscow or its oil purchasers due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

While Trump has repeatedly warned of additional sanctions, he had held off while pursuing diplomatic engagement. His latest comments suggest a more forceful approach may be coming, although he stopped short of confirming any specific measures or timeline.

When asked by a journalist at the White House whether he was ready to enter the second phase of sanctions, Trump replied, "Yeah, I am."

The president has expressed disappointment over his administration’s inability to stop the fighting in Ukraine, especially after initially claiming he would quickly end the conflict after taking office in January.

Russia escalates with largest attack on Kyiv, says U.S. envoy

U.S. Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg said on Sunday that Moscow’s latest missile strike on the Ukrainian capital was not a step toward diplomacy.

"Russia appears to be escalating with the largest attack of the war hitting offices of the UKR Cabinet in Kyiv," Kellogg wrote on X. "The attack was not a signal that Russia wants to diplomatically end this war."

According to officials, the strike has been described as Russia’s most extensive air assault since the conflict began in 2022.

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