Trump says he supports new sanctions on Russia over Ukraine war

President Donald Trump said he supports a new package of sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine, but hopes the measures will not have to be used.

“I support it,” Trump told U.S. broadcaster Fox News in an interview published on Thursday, adding: “I hope we don’t have to use it.”

Trump said the United States had already imposed “big sanctions on Russia” and claimed the Russian economy was “very bad,” while noting that Russia is larger and more influential than Ukraine.

In recent months, Trump has introduced several measures targeting Russia’s economy as the war in Ukraine approaches its fourth year, including sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies and tariffs on India over its trade ties with Moscow.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the proposed sanctions package could allow Trump to increase pressure on countries such as China, India, and Brazil to stop buying Russian oil.

He said he expected support for the measures from both Democrats and Republicans in Congress as early as next week.