Trump: "Not perfect timing" to impose new sanctions on Russia

US President Donald Trump has said that now is not the best time to impose new sanctions against Russia, as it could complicate or even derail his planned meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Source: Trump during a press conference at the White House on 16 October; The Associated Press

Details: While a bill is awaiting approval in the US Senate to introduce high tariffs on countries that buy Russian energy and other goods, Trump expressed doubts about the appropriateness of such measures in the near future.

"I'm not against anything. I'm just saying, it may not be perfect timing," he said.

Trump emphasised during the press conference that he is currently focused on creating favourable conditions for a personal meeting with Putin in Hungary, likely within the next two weeks.

He believes the upcoming meeting could help bring an end to the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the Senate is awaiting Trump's approval of a bill that would impose high tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium and other exports in order to deliver a serious economic blow to Moscow.

Although the US president has not yet formally endorsed the measure and Republican leaders do not plan to advance it without his approval, the White House has recently shown increasing interest in the bill behind the scenes. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said on Thursday that senators would consider the legislation "in the next 30 days".

According to two officials familiar with discussions between the White House and the Senate, administration representatives are already studying the bill in detail, suggesting editorial changes and technical adjustments. Capitol Hill sees this as a sign that Trump is beginning to take the initiative more seriously.

"This may be such a productive call that we're going to end up... We want to get peace," Trump said, adding that the final decision on sanctions rests with him.

Background:

• The US and Russian leaders held their first conversation in nearly two months on Thursday. Following the call, Donald Trump announced that they would meet again, this time in Budapest.
• On 17 October, Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with the possible delivery of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine among the main topics for discussion.

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