European leaders to visit us to discuss the war in Ukraine, Trump says

European leaders will visit the United States on Monday or Tuesday to discuss ways to end the war in Ukraine, said Donald Trump.

The US President added that he would also talk to Russian President Vladimir Putin “Soon”, and signals that his administration is ready to go to the second phase of sanctions against Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski said sanctions are the “right idea” and called on European countries to stop buying Russian energy.

It comes when Russia launches its biggest air bombing of Ukraine of the war so far, killing four and struck for the first time the main government building of Ukraine in Kiev.

After the attack, during which Russia launched at least 810 drones and 13 rockets in Ukraine, Trump said he “is not satisfied with the whole situation.”

“Some European leaders are coming to our country on Monday or Tuesday separately,” Trump said. It was not clear who Trump meant.

Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine as Trump and Putin held a summit in Alaska last month.

Speaking to ABC News, Zelenski said European partners continue to buy Russian oil and gas that are not “honest”.

He added: “We have to stop (buy) any kind of energy from Russia and, by the way, whatever, deals with Russia. We cannot have any deals if we want to stop them.”

Zelenski also welcomed Trump’s plans to impose secondary tariffs on countries trading with Russia – aimed at disappointing Moscow’s ability to finance the war.

“I think the idea of ​​raising tariffs for countries that continue to make deals with Russia, I think this is the right idea,” he said.

Russia has sold about $ 985 billion (£ 729 billion) oil and gas, as its full -scale invasion of Ukraine begins in March 2022, according to the Brain Trust the Center for Energy and Pure Air Research.

The largest buyers are China and India. The EU has decreased dramatically – but not completely stopped – purchases of Russian energy. In June, Brussels set out plans to terminate all purchases by 2027.

Last month, the United States imposed tariffs for 50% for goods from India as a punishment for continuing the purchase of Russian oil. The Indian government has said it will continue to pursue the “best deal” to buy oil for the economic interests of its population.

And at a meeting in Beijing last week Russia said it would increase Gas supplies to China.

The Zelensky intervention comes when the OPEC+ oil production group, which includes Russia, agreed to increase production, a move that will put pressure on oil prices.

US Department of Finance Secretary Scott Besten told NBC Meet The Press that the United States is seeking more EU support to impose secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil.

Bestent said that if EU countries increase the sanctions and secondary tariffs for countries buying Russian oil, “the Russian economy will be in full collapse and this will lead President Putin to the table.”

He added: “We are now in a race between how long the Ukrainian military can be supported, how long the Russian economy can stay.”