Washigton, Nov 17: US President Donald Trump has warned that nations continuing commercial ties with Russia will be “very severely sanctioned”, as his administration and Republican leaders push forward with hardline legislation against Moscow.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump said it was appropriate for Congress to advance new measures aimed at pressuring President Vladimir Putin and limiting Russia’s energy revenue streams. “I hear they’re doing that, and that’s okay with me,” he said. “They’re passing legislation… the Republicans are putting in legislation… very tough sanctioning… on any country doing business with Russia.”
Trump added that the administration may include Iran in the same framework. “They may add Iran to that… I suggested it,” he said. “So any country that does business with Russia will be very severely sanctioned. We may add Iran to the formula.”
The Trump administration has already imposed 50 per cent tariffs on India, including 25 per cent duties on its purchases of Russian oil and gas, as part of a broader effort to restrict global flows of Russian energy.
