Bessent’s remarks, delivered on NBC’s Meet the Press, reflect a more assertive posture from the Trump administration in its bid to end the Ukraine conflict. He stressed that if the U. S. and EU impose expanded sanctions—specifically secondary tariffs on third-party buyers of Russian oil—the resulting economic collapse could force Putin to the negotiating table.
The U. S. has already leveled steep tariffs: a combined 50 per cent on imports from India, which remains a significant buyer of Russian energy, and similarly substantial levies targeting China. These moves intend to penalise those seen as indirectly sustaining Russia’s war effort.
Bessent emphasised cooperation with European partners as vital: “We are prepared to increase pressure on Russia, but we need our European partners to follow us,” he said. He characterised the situation as a race—between Ukraine’s military endurance and the vulnerability of the Russian economy. Collapse of Russian Economy Could Force Putin to Talk Peace is the goal of this unified approach.
President Trump signalled readiness to enter a “second phase” of sanctions, though he gave few details. His administration views these new measures as necessary leverage after diplomatic efforts, including a meeting with Putin in Alaska, failed to yield an end to hostilities.
Internationally, responses are mixed. Countries like India, labelled as unjustly sanctioned, have pointed out that numerous European states continue energy trade with Russia without facing similar penalties. India maintains that its energy procurement is guided by market necessities and strategic interests—not geopolitics.
On Capitol Hill, legislators have pursued proposals like the Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025, which would authorize extreme measures—including 500 per cent tariffs on countries purchasing Russian energy—to coax a peace agreement out of Moscow.