Asked whether he would impose further sanctions on Moscow should Putin refuse to come to the negotiation table, Trump responded: ‘Sounds likely'
US President Donald Trump indicated Tuesday that additional sanctions on Russia are "likely” if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not come to the negotiation table to end the war in Ukraine.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump was asked whether he would impose further sanctions on Moscow should Putin refuse to engage in peace talks.
"Sounds likely," he said, without elaborating.
Asked whether he believed the war in Ukraine should be frozen, he responded: "The war should have never started. If you had a competent president, which you didn't, the war wouldn't have happened. The war in Ukraine would have never happened if I were president."
He further criticized former President Joe Biden, saying Putin "disrespected" his leadership.
On whether he will keep sending weapons to Ukraine, Trump said they will “look into that,” adding: We're talking to (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskyy. We're going to be talking with President Putin very soon, and we'll see what, how it all happens.”
“One thing I do feel is the European Union should be paying a lot more than they're paying,” he added.
The remarks came as Trump has vowed to end the war in Ukraine, adding he would engage in talks with both Putin and Zelenskyy, although he has not provided a timeline or specifics.
“President Zelenskyy would like to have peace. He's told me that very strongly. But it takes two to tango,” he told reporters.
Asked when he will meet Putin, Trump said: “Anytime they want, I'll meet.”
“Millions of people are being killed. It's a vicious situation,” he said, accusing the US government of underreporting the death toll.
“The real killing now is on the war front. It's a very flat land, and the only thing that stops a bullet is somebody's body, and you have young soldiers. So Russia's lost about 800,000 soldiers now. Ukraine's lost about 600,000 or 700,000. I think the numbers are lower than they're giving out,” he added.
