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Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Photo courtesy of Yonhap News) |
[Alpha Biz= Paul Lee] Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on September 7 (local time) that his administration is prepared to implement a second phase of sanctions against Russia, citing Moscow’s reluctance to engage in peace talks with Ukraine and its strengthened alignment with China in an anti-U.S., anti-Western front.
According to Yonhap News, President Trump responded “Yes” when asked by reporters at the White House whether the U.S. was ready to enforce additional sanctions. He made the remarks before departing for New York to attend the men’s final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
Trump has already imposed what he described as “Phase 1, Second Round” sanctions late last month, which included raising tariffs on Indian imports of Russian oil from 25% to 50%.
The comments come after Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last month, where the two leaders discussed the possibility of a Russia–Ukraine summit aimed at ending the war. However, relations have since soured as Russia carried out large-scale airstrikes on Kyiv, further distancing itself from negotiations.
President Putin also recently attended a World War II Victory Day 80th Anniversary commemoration in Beijing, where he showcased ties with Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, reinforcing what Trump described on social media as an “anti-American conspiracy.”
Separately, when asked about his plan to deploy the National Guard to Chicago to support law enforcement operations targeting illegal immigrants and criminals, Trump rejected suggestions that it amounted to declaring war, stating: “This is not about war. This is about cleaning up our cities.”
알파경제 Paul Lee 특파원(hoondork1977@alphabiz.co.kr)
