U.S. President Donald Trump has once again expressed outrage over Russia’s deadly attacks in Kyiv—which killed 28 people and injured dozens more—calling Moscow’s actions “disgusting” and vowing new sanctions.
“I think what Russia is doing is disgusting,” Trump told reporters at the White House on July 31.
“What Russia is doing is very distressing. Many Russians are dying,” he added.
Trump announced that the United States plans to impose new sanctions on Moscow, though he did not provide specific details.
However, he added, “I don’t know if sanctions bother him,” referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Western countries have already imposed a range of financial measures on Moscow, severely damaging the Russian economy in an effort to restrict funding for its war campaign, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.
Trump also revealed that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, would travel to Moscow after visiting Israel, where he will discuss the situation in Gaza with Israeli officials.
“He’s going to Russia, believe it or not,” Trump told reporters.
The U.S. president made these statements just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a “regime change” in the Kremlin, stating that this is the only way to prevent Russia from continuing its efforts to destabilize the region in the future.
Zelensky reiterated his belief that it is still possible for Western allies to pressure Russia into ending the war in Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that after six months of pursuing diplomacy, Trump will soon have to decide how to push forward a ceasefire effort if one side continues to reject negotiations.
Rubio noted that American and Russian officials have held private talks regarding the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine, but Washington has seen no meaningful progress.
Trump, who recently said he is “very disappointed” in Putin for not ending the war, announced on July 29 that he plans to shorten the original 50-day ultimatum for the Russian leader to reach a ceasefire agreement to “10–12 days.”
Trump added that he would impose new tariffs on Russia if it refuses to cooperate.
On the other hand, Zelensky stated that he is ready to accept a ceasefire and has proposed a direct meeting with Putin—something the Kremlin has rejected.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said they are “taking note” of Trump’s remarks but provided no further details.
The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022.
Russian President Vladimir Putin describes the war as a “special military operation” intended to demilitarize Ukraine.
The West has responded by hitting the Russian economy with harsh sanctions.
The war has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions of people displaced from their homes.
