President Trump on Sunday declared he is ready to move ahead with a new round of sanctions against Russia after it pummeled Ukraine with its largest air strike since the war began.
Trump, asked by reporters whether he is ready to move to the “second stage” of sanctions against Russia, replied yes.
Speaking from the White House lawn ahead of his departure to the US Open in New York City later Sunday, the president did not specify what he envisions as the “second stage” of sanctions against Russia.
Before his summit with Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin last month in Alaska, Trump had threatened to impose a suite of blistering fresh sanctions and tariffs targeting countries that import Russian oil.
The move is intended to damage a critical revenue source that the Russians have used to keep their economy afloat during Western sanctions over the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine.
“[Sunday’s] barbaric attack proved we have to do whatever it takes to stop Russian war machine fueled by oil and gas revenue,’’ Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko told The Post.
“We appreciate President Trump’s prompt reaction and a strong signal of readiness to impose secondary sanctions on Russia. This step is very important for Ukraine as our people continue to suffer every day from Russian strikes of increasing scale.
“We hope this decision comes effective soon.”
Trump left the meeting with Putin last month sounding optimistic about a path toward brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine. But in the time since, Russia has continued to hammer Ukraine, including on Sunday.
Overnight, Russia unleashed at least 810 drones and decoys in a massive attack that killed at least four people and injured 44 — while targeting Ukraine’s central government building in Kyiv for the first time.
Ukraine claims to have intercepted more than 745 of the drones and four missiles fired by Russia.
Russia’s previous record for an aerial bombardment occurred in July, when it fired off 728 drones into Ukraine.
Top officials in Ukraine urged the rest of the world to respond with punitive measures against Russia.
“For the first time, the government building was damaged by an enemy attack, including the roof and upper floors,” Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko declared in a statement. “We will restore the buildings, but lost lives cannot be returned.”
“The world must respond to this destruction not only with words, but with actions. There is a need to strengthen sanctions pressure — primarily against Russian oil and gas.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the “ruthless” attack from Russia and vowed to take an “appropriate response.”
Recently, Zelensky rejected Putin’s invitation to Moscow for talks, saying that the Russian tyrant can come to Kyiv instead.
“He wanted very much to meet with President Trump, with the President of the United States,” Zelensky reflected about the Alaska summit to ABC News’ “This Week.” “And I think that … Putin got it. And, it’s a pity.
“Putin doesn’t want to meet with me, but he wants very much to meet with the President of the United States, to show everybody video and images that he is there.”
Trump had been quiet in the public eye on Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine before his brief remarks to reporters ahead of his trip to the US Open.
