‘Back words by action’: Zelenskyy after Trump threatens phase-2 sanctions as Russia strikes Kyiv

A day after Russia’s biggest air attack against Ukraine since the start of the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for the international community to impose sanctions against Russia. In a series of posts on X, Zelenskyy said that while countries around the world are condemning the Saturday attack, such proclamations should be backed by strong actions.

These actions, Zelenskyy maintained, include sanctions against Russia and individuals connected with Russia. He went on to support the idea of trade tariffs and other restrictions that can affect the Russian economy. “It is important that today we saw a broad response from our partners to this strike. Clearly, Russia is trying to inflict pain on Ukraine with even more brazen attacks. This is a clear sign that Putin is testing the world - whether they will accept or tolerate this,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“That is why statements by state leaders and institutions must be backed by strong actions - sanctions against Russia and individuals connected with Russia, tough tariffs and other restrictions on trade with Russia. Their losses must be felt. That is what is truly convincing.”

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“Equally important - our long-range capabilities. Putin does not want negotiations; he is clearly hiding from them, so Russia’s fuel shortages and other economic troubles are the logical response to its refusal to agree to a ceasefire or a meeting at the leaders’ level,” he added.

Was Zelenskyy hinting at Trump?

Zelenskyy’s remarks on the matter came shortly after Trump said that he is prepared to impose new sanctions on Russia. Asked whether he was ready to move to the next phase of sanctions and directly punish President Vladimir Putin, Trump responded: “Yes, I am." The recent Russian attack on Ukraine involved over 800 drones and 13 missiles, four of them ballistic."

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian president supported his American counterpart’s decision to impose tariffs on countries engaged in trade with Russia as the ongoing war in Ukraine continues to escalate.

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In an interview with ABC News, Zelenskyy said that “it is the right idea to put tariffs on countries that continue to make deals with Russia." The remarks from the Ukrainian leader came after the interviewer asked whether he had seen Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in China

The journalist went on to ask Zelenskyy if the Ukrainian leader thinks Trump’s plan to impose nearly 50 per cent tariffs on India could backfire. In response to this, the Ukrainian president called for sanctions against Russia after it launched its largest aerial assault of the Ukraine war Saturday night. He eventually came out in Trump’s support.

It is pertinent to note that at the end of July this year, Trump imposed nearly 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods and complained about New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. However, India went on to point out how China buys more oil from Russia than India.