US President Donald Trump has announced that several European leaders will visit Washington early next week to discuss urgent measures aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, amid a dramatic escalation in Russian attacks.
Speaking after Russia launched its largest aerial assault on Ukraine to date firing over 800 drones and striking Kyiv’s central government building for the first time Trump said he planned to meet European counterparts “individually” on Monday or Tuesday. He also indicated an imminent conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin and hinted at a new phase of sanctions targeting Moscow.
“I’m not happy with the whole situation,” Trump said, referring to the renewed Russian offensive.
The White House is reportedly considering secondary sanctions measures aimed at penalizing countries that continue trading with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly endorsed the move, calling it “the right idea.”
In an interview with ABC News, Zelensky condemned ongoing energy purchases from Russia by some European countries, calling it “not fair” and warning that such deals undermine collective efforts to end the war.
“We have to stop buying any kind of energy from Russia. We can’t have any deals if we want to stop them,” Zelensky said.
Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, Russia has earned an estimated $985 billion from oil and gas exports, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. China and India remain Moscow’s top customers, despite mounting international pressure.
In June, the European Union committed to ending all Russian energy imports by 2027, but Zelensky is pushing for faster action. The US has already imposed 50% tariffs on Indian goods in response to continued oil purchases from Russia moves that Indian officials say conflict with their economic interests.
Meanwhile, Russia is deepening energy ties with China. During talks in Beijing last week, Moscow pledged to increase gas exports to its eastern ally.
At the same time, the OPEC+ coalition which includes Russia agreed to raise global oil production, a decision expected to reduce global prices and complicate efforts to limit Russia’s energy revenue.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed Zelensky’s stance, urging European nations to back the proposed secondary sanctions. “If the EU joins us, the Russian economy will be in total collapse and that will bring President Putin to the table,” Bessent said.
“We are in a race now,” he added, “between how long the Ukrainian military can hold out, and how long the Russian economy can survive.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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