Donald Trump threatens to be prepared for the “second phase” in the relationship with Russia

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that he is ready to move on to a second stage of Russia's sanction, the clearest indication that he could intensify measures against Moscow or his oil buyers, against the background of the Ukraine, notes Reuters.

Trump has repeatedly threatened Russia with new sanctions, but postponed them as he followed the peace negotiations.

Asked by a journalist at the White House if he is ready to move to the “second stage” of sanctions against Russia, Trump replied: “Yes, I am.” But he did not provide details.

Trump was frustrated by the fact that he failed to stop the battles, after initially predicted that he would be able to end the Ukraine war quickly, with the mandate in January.

The White House did not respond immediately, on Sunday, to an email requesting a comment on the steps that the president is considering.

The statement came to complete the statements made on Wednesday, when Trump defended the measures already against Russia, including imposing punitive rates on India's exports to the United States last month.

India is one of the main buyers of Russia's energy exports, while Western states have reduced their purchases in response to the war.

“This cost Russia hundreds of billions of dollars,” Trump said on Wednesday. “Is that what you call a lack of action? And I didn't even go to the second or third phase.”

The secretary of Treasury, Scott Bessent, said on Sunday that the US and the European Union could impose “secondary rates that buy Russian oil”, which could bring the Russian economy to the threshold of the collapse and force President Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiation table.

China is, in turn, an important buyer of Russian energy.