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President Donald Trump has threatened further sanctions against Russia if Vladimir Putin does not agree to negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Trump said he was talking to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and would have a conversation with his Russian counterpart "very soon," Reuters reported.
Trump said he had a "very strong understanding with Putin" and added that "he disrespects people," saying that, "he's smart, he understands."
Newsweek has emailed the Kremlin for comment.
Why It Matters
Trump's comments that Moscow is likely to face further sanctions should it refuse talks to end the war will be leverage to get Putin to the table, especially if they reinforce the latest tranche of U.S. sanctions imposed this month targeting Russia's critical energy exports.
What To Know
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump said that Russia would never have invaded Ukraine if he had been president as he touted his strong relationship with Putin, whom he accused of disrespecting the former President Joe Biden.
Trump added that his administration was looking into the issue of sending weapons to Ukraine but that the European Union should be doing more to support Kyiv.
When asked if there would be further sanctions on Russia if Putin did not agree to talks to end the war, Trump replied such a move "sounds likely" without giving further details on what those measures might entail.
On January 10, the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Russia's energy sector, officials and sanctions-busting "shadow fleet" vessels.
Since the measures were imposed, tankers carrying Russian oil have been stuck off the coast of China, and further sanctions could hit Moscow's key revenue generator.
Trump had said on Monday that Putin should agree to a deal and that he was destroying Russia by not doing so.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told CBS that the Trump administration is working to attain a sustainable peace in Ukraine so that the war does not start again in two to four years. Elise Stefanik, Trump's nominee for United Nations ambassador, said on Monday that the U.S. president should be given maximum flexibility to end the war.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump said: "I had a very strong understanding with Putin. That would have never, ever happened. He disrespected Biden. Very simple. He disrespects people. He's smart. He understands. He disrespected Biden."
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: "We don't just want the conflict to end and then restart in two, three, or four years down the road."
What Happens Next
Trump and his team have shifted his rhetoric that the war could be solved within a day to acknowledge the complexities of the conflict, although few details have been revealed on how to achieve that goal. Rubio has said that both sides will have to make concessions, suggesting that Kyiv will also face pressure from the U.S. to agree to talks.
Update 01/22/25, 4:16 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further information.
About the writer
Brendan Cole is a Newsweek Senior News Reporter based in London, UK. His focus is Russia and Ukraine, in particular ... Read more