Trump Says US Ready for Second Phase of Russia Sanctions

President Donald Trump signaled on Sept. 7 that the U.S. government is ready to impose more sanctions against Russia, as negotiations to end Russia’s war in Ukraine stalled and Moscow intensified its attacks on Kyiv.

When asked by a reporter at the White House if he is ready to move forward with a second phase of sanctions against Russia, Trump replied, “Yeah, I am,” without elaborating.

Russia launched more than 800 drones and missiles on Ukraine overnight on Sept. 7 in what is believed to be its largest aerial attack of the war, which has been ongoing since February 2022.

Four people were killed and dozens of others were injured in the attack, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A government building was among the structures hit, Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian leader called on other nations to impose additional sanctions against Russia, including “tough tariffs and other restrictions on trade” to pressure Moscow to end its attack.

“This is a clear sign that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is testing the world—whether they will accept or tolerate this,” Zelenskyy said on X.

Zelenskyy stated in another update that Ukraine is coordinating with France on new measures to strengthen its defenses.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told NBC News on Sept. 7 that the United States is ready to increase pressure on Russia but added that “we need our European partners to follow us.”

“If the U.S. and the [European Union] can come in, do more sanctions, secondary tariffs on the countries that buy Russian oil, the Russian economy will be in full collapse, and that will bring President Putin to the table,” Bessent said.

Trump last month increased tariffs on India for buying oil from Russia, bringing the total rate to 50 percent. On Aug. 15, he met with Putin in Alaska to discuss ending the war in Ukraine, but the meeting ended without a cease-fire agreement.

This story will be updated with additional details.