President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he is prepared to impose a second phase of sanctions on Russia. The announcement came in response to a question posed outside the White House. This declaration followed comments by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Besent, who suggested that the Russian economy could be devastated if the U.S. and the European Union imposed more sanctions on countries purchasing crude oil from Russia.
Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance engaged in a productive discussion with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, focusing on how the U.S. and the EU could increase pressure on Russia. The Trump administration has levied a 25 percent counter-tariff on India for its purchase of Russian oil, in addition to a previously announced 25 percent tariff, bringing the total tariff on India to 50 percent, effective August 27.
Last week, Trump indicated that he had imposed secondary sanctions on India for its purchase of Russian oil, a country that is the largest buyer outside of China, and implied that he had not yet implemented phase two or three sanctions. Several officials within the Trump administration, including Besent and trade advisor Peter Navarro, have asserted that India’s purchase of Russian oil is funding Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. India has criticized the U.S. tariffs as unfair and defends its crude oil purchases as driven by national interests and market dynamics.