US President Donald Trump has indicated his readiness to advance to a “second phase” of sanctions against Russia, as Moscow continues its military offensive in Ukraine and resists diplomatic efforts to end the war.

When asked by reporters in Washington on Sunday if he was prepared to escalate sanctions, Trump gave a brief but firm response: “Yeah, I am.” However, he did not provide details on what the new measures might include or which countries could be targeted.

Trump has previously criticized nations purchasing Russian oil, notably imposing a 25% punitive tariff on India, while warning that China may also face penalties. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) continues to import Russian energy directly and indirectly through refined products from India, complicating prospects for joint sanctions.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested the US and EU could coordinate to impose secondary sanctions on Russian oil buyers, aiming to force Moscow into negotiations. “If the US and the EU can do more sanctions, the Russian economy will be in full collapse, and that will bring President Putin to the table,” he told NBC.

But the EU’s energy dependency poses a challenge. “We are prepared to increase pressure on Russia, but we need our European partners to follow us,” Bessent emphasized.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized European double standards, noting: “They continue to buy oil and Russian gas. This is not fair.” He defended US tariffs on India, calling them “the right idea.”

The debate comes more than three weeks after Trump’s summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which raised hopes for progress but has yet to produce a meeting between Putin and Zelensky. Instead, Russia has intensified attacks, prompting Washington to consider harsher measures.