US President Donald Trump expressed discontent with Russia following its most extensive air assault on Ukraine, which included a barrage of missiles and drones, marking the largest such attack since the war began. In response, Trump suggested the possibility of ramping up sanctions to intensify pressure on the Russian economy.
After the attack, which took place overnight on Saturday and into Sunday, Trump commented, “It’s such a horrible waste of humanity. I am not thrilled with what’s happening there, I will tell you,” during a brief interaction with reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, reports Al Jazeera.
Trump indicated that his administration was contemplating a “second phase” of sanctions aimed at crippling Russia’s economy. When questioned about these sanctions, he responded affirmatively, stating, “Yeah, I am,” without offering further details.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent elaborated on the possible sanctions, including measures targeting nations purchasing Russian oil, which he said could push Russia to the negotiating table. “We are prepared to increase pressure on Russia, but we need our European partners to follow us,” he stated. “We are in a race now between how long can the Ukrainian military hold up versus how long can the Russian economy hold up.” He added, “And if the US and the EU can come in, do more sanctions, secondary tariffs on the countries that buy Russian oil, the Russian economy will be in full collapse.”
The attack, involving 810 drones and 13 missiles, left at least four people dead, including an infant, and ignited a fire in a government complex in Kyiv housing Ukraine’s cabinet.
The US Ambassador to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, condemned Russia’s aggression, stating, “It’s not a signal that Russia wants to diplomatically end this war.”
Trump, who has imposed heavy tariffs on nations like India over continued Russian oil purchases, reiterated his commitment to increasing pressure on Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a Sunday interview with ABC News, praised the idea of imposing sanctions on countries still conducting business with Russia, saying, “I’m very thankful to all the partners, but some of them, I mean, they continue [to] buy oil and Russian gas, and this is not fair… I think the idea to put tariffs on the countries that continue to make deals with Russia, I think this is the right idea.”
Despite diplomatic efforts, including high-level meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and European leaders, a resolution to the conflict remains elusive, with Russia continuing its attacks on Ukrainian cities.
