United States President Donald Trump hinted on Wednesday that Washington could tighten sanctions on Russian oil exports in the coming months, raising the prospect of a second and third phase of restrictions. Speaking at the White House, Trump remarked, “If I’m unhappy with Putin, things will happen,” suggesting that the administration is preparing options to escalate pressure on Moscow.
The comments come against the backdrop of ongoing U.S. efforts to limit Russia’s energy revenues amid the war in Ukraine. Current measures have already capped Russian crude prices and restricted shipping and insurance services linked to Moscow’s exports. Any additional sanctions could target refined oil products, shipping networks, or secondary trade routes being used to bypass existing restrictions.
Trump’s remarks coincide with fresh data showing that U.S. tariff revenues hit $30 billion in August, the highest monthly total of 2025 so far, underscoring the administration’s aggressive trade and sanctions policy.
Diplomatic attention is also building in Europe. The Elysee Palace confirmed that Trump will hold a joint call with French President Emmanuel Macron, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and other European leaders on Thursday, September 4, at 14:00 Paris time. The discussion is expected to focus on sanctions coordination, support for Ukraine, and broader U.S.-EU security cooperation.
The prospect of harsher energy sanctions has already drawn the attention of global markets, with analysts warning that tighter controls on Russian oil could send prices higher in the near term, particularly as winter demand approaches.
