Threatened With Trump Sanctions On Ukraine War, Russia: He Really Likes Such Ways

Kremlin/Dmitry Peskov spokesman Sergey Bulkin/TASS

JAKARTA - The Kremlin said it saw no new threat from US President Donald Trump to impose new sanctions and tariffs on Russia if the country disagreed to end the war in Ukraine.

Referring to Russia and the war, Trump said: "If we don't make a 'deal' and I have no other choice but to impose high-level taxes, tariffs and sanctions on anything Russia sells to the United States, and various other countries that participate."

Trump said he would provide enormous assistance to Russia and Putin by making them end what he called this ridiculous war.

When asked about Trump's statement, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Trump had frequently imposed sanctions on Russia during his first term as president.

"We don't see anything new here," Peskov told reporters.

"He likes these methods, at least he likes them during his first presidency," added Peskov.

Moscow is closely monitoring all of Trump's statements, Peskov said.

"We carefully note all the differences. We remain ready for dialogue, President Putin has repeatedly discussed this - for equal dialogue, for mutual respect dialogue."

Trump, who earlier this week said the Ukraine conflict "destroyed" Russia, said he plans to immediately talk to Putin. Peskov said Moscow was still waiting for a "signal" from the US side.