Trump on sanctions against Russia: "I'm ready, but Europe is all talk and no action, still buying Russian oil."

Although US President Trump has made a high-profile move to mediate the war between Russia and Ukraine, the effect has been limited, and the conflict continues. Trump has stated that he is willing to impose new sanctions on Russia, but only if Europe strengthens its own sanctions.

On September 14, speaking to reporters about Russia and Ukraine, Trump said that NATO and Europe must unite to impose sanctions on Russia. "Europe is my friend, but they're still buying oil from Russia. So don't expect us to go all out. Europe is still buying oil from Russia, and I don't want them to."

Trump also complained that Europe's sanctions on Russia weren't tough enough, saying, "I'm willing to impose sanctions on Russia, but only if they strengthen their own sanctions and match mine."

Trump added, "I'm ready to impose sanctions, but they have to do the same. I think they will, but right now they're just talking and not walking the walk. They're still buying oil from Russia. We're not buying oil from Russia. They're still buying oil from Russia, and that's not okay."

Trump once vowed to end the war between Russia and Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, but more than six months later, the war continues.

He has recently stepped up his efforts to mediate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on August 15 and with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and several European leaders at the White House on August 18.

Both summits achieved some progress. On August 18, Trump announced that a meeting between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine would be arranged.

However, as time passed, Russia and Ukraine made no immediate progress on holding a summit. Each side presented its own demands. Ukraine also accused Russia of deliberately delaying the meeting. Russia, in turn, stressed that a summit meeting required thorough preparation and could not be rushed.

On September 7, local time, US President Trump, answering reporters at the White House, announced that he was ready to implement a second phase of sanctions against Russia. However, he did not specify specific actions or elaborate on the specific content of the so-called "second phase of sanctions." When asked by reporters, he simply responded in the affirmative: "Are we prepared to implement a second phase of sanctions against Russia?"

At the same time, Trump also pressured European and NATO countries to increase sanctions against Russia.