United States President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that he is set to escalate sanctions against Russia in response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. His statement came while addressing the media outside the White House, where he said he is ready to impose the second phase of sanctions on Russia. However, as usual, Trump did not provide detailed timelines or specifics of the potential measures.
On being asked if he is ready to move to the second phase of sanctions against Russia and punishing Russian President Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump said, “Yes, I am.”
#WATCH | Washington, DC | On being asked if he is ready to move to the second phase of sanctions against Russia and punishing Putin, US President Donald Trump says, "Yes, I am…"
(Source: US Network Pool via Reuters) pic.twitter.com/Z4QHLXA07y
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Trump’s statement came at a time when Russia on Sunday carried out its largest-ever air attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, destroying buildings housing key government offices. According to officials, this was Russia’s most significant aerial assault on Ukraine to date.
The Ukrainian Air Force claimed that it shot down dozens of missiles and drones, but several attacks reached government buildings and residential areas. Russia had deployed more than 800 drones and struck Kyiv government building for the first time. The number of casualties has not been officially announced yet.
Talking to reporters at the White House on the incident, Donald Trump said, “We are ready to take additional steps against Russia. If this aggression continues, we will impose “second phase strict sanctions.”
Zelenskyy Calls For International Support
Meanwhile, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for international support to stop “Kremlin criminals,” after Russia’s “vile” strikes on Kyiv.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, “Such killings now, when real diplomacy could have already begun long ago, are a deliberate crime and a prolongation of the war. It has been repeatedly said in Washington that sanctions will follow a refusal to talk. We must implement everything that was agreed in Paris. We also count on the implementation of all the agreements to strengthen our air defense. Every additional system saves civilians from these vile strikes. The world can force the Kremlin criminals to stop the killings – all that is needed is political will. I thank everyone who is helping.”
Since last night, work has been ongoing to eliminate the consequences of Russian strikes – more than 800 drones, 13 missiles, including 4 ballistic. According to preliminary information, several drones crossed the border of Ukraine and Belarus.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 7, 2025
In Kyiv, ordinary residential… pic.twitter.com/CefQOopLtD
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