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President Trump said he is considering “secondary sanctions” on Russia ahead of potential high-stakes talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volydmyr Zelensky in Turkey on Thursday — and suggested he may attend the negotiations.
“I’m always considering the secondary sanctions,” Trump said Wednesday onboard Air Force One heading towards Qatar, CNN reported.
Trump sent Secretary of State Marco Rubio to represent him at the Russia-Ukraine peace talks expected to take place Thursday in Istanbul to end Europe’s bloodiest conflict since WWII.
Zelensky agreed to attend the talks after Trump pressured him to do so but it remains to be seen if Putin will take part himself.
However, Trump told Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Wednesday that there may be “good” news coming out of Turkey later this week — in a possible sign that he may attend the negotiations.
“We’ll bring peace, not only here, but I know you’re very much involved in helping us in other regions like what’s happening with Russia-Ukraine etcetera,” the president said.
“And I think we’re having some pretty good news coming out of there today and maybe tomorrow and maybe Friday frankly. But we’ll see about that.”
On Monday, Trump told reporters at the White House that “I would fly there if I thought it would be helpful,” but there were no indications late Tuesday that preparations were being made for a detour to Turkey.
Trump said if no agreement can be reached, secondary sanctions could be used against Russia like he used against Iran.
“As you know, I put secondary sanctions on Iran again, and hopefully they’re going to make the right decision, because something’s going to happen one way or the other,” he said.
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