US President Donald Trump on Sunday signalled a tougher stance against Moscow, declaring his readiness to move into the second phase of sanctions on Russia over the protracted conflict in Ukraine. 

Speaking at a White House dinner with members of Congress, Trump acknowledged that despite his close personal relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the war between Russia and Ukraine had proven to be the most difficult international issue of his presidency.

He contrasted this with what he claimed were his successes in quickly ending or de-escalating seven other global conflicts within the first seven months of his second term. Emphasising his disappointment, Trump conceded that achieving peace in Ukraine was harder than he had expected, given what he described as "a good relationship" with Putin.

He admitted that his earlier campaign promise to end the war within 24 hours of assuming office remains unfulfilled, calling it the "most difficult" challenge he has faced in foreign policy.

The announcement on further sanctions followed the unsuccessful outcome of the “historic” Alaska summit in August, where Trump hosted negotiations involving Russian and Ukrainian representatives in a bid to establish conditions for a ceasefire.

Trump had hailed the talks as "very productive," but no agreement or framework emerged from the discussions, leaving Washington frustrated by the lack of progress. The move toward harsher sanctions underscores the administration’s attempt to intensify pressure on Moscow as the conflict drags on, highlighting a departure from Trump’s earlier optimism about leveraging diplomacy and personal rapport with Putin to secure peace.

At the same time, Trump's rhetoric toward U.S. allies has oscillated between reassurance and criticism. Recently, he made remarks claiming that “America has lost Russia and India to deepest, darkest China,” a comment reflecting anxieties over Beijing’s expanding global influence and shifting geopolitical alignments.

Within hours, however, Trump softened his tone on India, stressing the enduring strength of the U.S.–India partnership. He emphasised that his personal equation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi remains strong, describing him as “a great Prime Minister” and reiterating that ties between Washington and New Delhi remain “special” despite what he called temporary disagreements.

Speaking to ANI, Trump underlined his willingness to “reset” relations whenever needed, warning that while he disapproves of some of India’s current policies, the bilateral relationship itself was stable and resilient.

Meanwhile, the U.S. president has sharpened his attacks on Beijing, directly accusing Chinese President Xi Jinping of “conspiring against” the United States.

His comments tied China’s role not only to tensions in the Indo-Pacific but also to Moscow and Pyongyang, suggesting a perception of coordinated manoeuvring among Washington’s rivals. Trump’s criticism came in the backdrop of heightened concerns over North Korean provocations and Beijing’s deepening energy and strategic partnership with Russia.

These developments, coupled with his own stalled efforts to broker peace in Ukraine, have placed Trump under increasing political pressure at home, particularly as he grapples with criticism that he has yet to deliver on one of the most high-profile commitments of his second-term campaign.

With rising strains across the U.S.–Russia–China strategic triangle, and with India caught in the crosscurrents, Trump’s declaration of readiness to impose the next stage of sanctions on Moscow signals a harder edge to his foreign policy.

It also underscores the challenges his administration faces in balancing coercive measures against Russia with the need to maintain stable ties with India, all while countering China’s expanding global influence.

The coming weeks are expected to see Washington outline the scope of new penalties against Russia, and much will depend on how Moscow responds and how Trump manages the delicate balancing act between confronting adversaries and reassuring allies.

Based On ANI Report