U.S. President, Donald Trump has condemned Russia’s continued military aggression in Ukraine, calling the Kremlin’s actions “disgusting” during remarks to reporters on Thursday, July 31.
“Russia — I think it’s disgusting what they’re doing. I think it’s disgusting,” Trump stated, following reports that a missile strike on Kyiv had killed at least 16 people.
In response to the escalating violence, Trump announced that he would dispatch his special envoy Steve Witkoff, currently in Israel, to Russia for urgent discussions. Witkoff has previously met with Russian President Vladimir Putin multiple times in Moscow as part of earlier diplomatic efforts.
The U.S. has now given Russia until the end of next week to cease hostilities in Ukraine or face severe economic sanctions. Trump reaffirmed the ultimatum Thursday night, saying:
“We’re going to put sanctions. I don’t know that sanctions bother him,” he said, referring to Putin.
The President also hinted at broader measures, suggesting that new sanctions could include “secondary tariffs” aimed at nations still trading with Russia such as China and India — a move that could cripple Russia’s economy but risk triggering wider international tensions.
Trump entered his second term with optimistic projections that the war — now stretching back to Russia’s February 2022 invasion — would be resolved quickly. However, his tone has shifted in recent weeks as Moscow’s unrelenting offensive continues to claim civilian lives and destabilize the region.
