• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

US President Donald Trump on Sunday confirmed he is prepared to move into the “second stage” of sanctions against Russia, signalling a new wave of economic pressure on Moscow. Responding to a question on whether he is ready to escalate measures aimed at punishing President Vladimir Putin, Trump said, “Yes, I am,” underscoring Washington’s intent to tighten the squeeze on Russia as the Ukraine war drags on.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Sunday that Washington and its European allies could use expanded economic sanctions, including “secondary tariffs” on countries importing Russian oil, as a strategy to push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward peace talks with Ukraine.

Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Bessent declared, “If the US and the EU can come in, do more sanctions, secondary tariffs on the countries that buy Russian oil, the Russian economy will be in full collapse, and that will bring President Putin to the table.” He emphasized that the Trump administration is prepared to escalate pressure but stressed the importance of coordination with European partners.

ALSO READ: Who Is 'God's Influencer'? Meet 15-Year-Old Computer Genius Set To Become Frist Millennial Catholic 'Saint'

India Caught In Crossfire

India, one of the world’s largest buyers of discounted Russian crude since the Ukraine war began, has increasingly come under US scrutiny. Just last month, the Trump administration slapped a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, one of the steepest levies on any foreign nation, citing New Delhi’s continued energy ties with Moscow. The move came even as Trump and Modi met recently to underline their “strategic partnership.”

Despite these optics, the Treasury Secretary’s remarks suggest that India could face additional economic penalties if it continues large-scale purchases of Russian oil. Analysts note that such a step could strain ties at a time when both nations have sought closer cooperation on defense, trade, and technology.

Bessent framed the sanctions strategy as a contest between Ukraine’s battlefield resilience and Russia’s economic durability. “We are in a race now between how long the Ukrainian military can hold up versus how long the Russian economy can hold up,” he said. The statement underscores Washington’s reliance on financial measures as a key lever to pressure Moscow, even as military aid remains a sensitive issue among US allies.

Legal Challenges Ahead

Bessent also addressed the administration’s ongoing legal battle over tariffs. A US circuit court recently deemed some of Trump’s sweeping tariff actions illegal. However, the Treasury Secretary expressed confidence in a reversal. “I am confident that we will win at the Supreme Court,” he told NBC.

ALSO READ: Japan PM Shigeru Ishiba Resigns After Less Than A Year Of Assuming Office | KNOW WHY

The comments came on a day when Russia escalated its campaign, bombing Ukraine’s main government complex in Kyiv. Ukrainian officials described the attack as a “serious escalation” and urged stronger Western action. Against this backdrop, Washington’s warning of more tariffs on India places New Delhi at the uneasy intersection of global diplomacy, economic pressure, and great-power rivalry.