Donald Trump says Russia's attacks on Ukraine 'should be stopped', warns Moscow of new sanctions

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, July 31, slammed Russia for their airstrike on Ukraine that killed at least 28 people in Kyiv, calling the actions "disgusting".

Trump has threatened to impose new sanctions on Moscow if Russian President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire by August 8.

Donald Trump calls Russia's attacks on Ukraine a 'disgrace'

Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, Donald Trump said, "Russia, I think it's disgusting what they're doing. I think it's disgusting."

"I think what Russia is doing is very sad. A lot of Russians are dying... Ukrainians are dying, and the United States isn't really involved in that war," he added.

Trump also said, "By the way, I made a deal with NATO where NATO pays us for everything we send them — ammunition, missiles, etc. We are not paying anything for that war."

"But I will tell you this, it should be stopped. It is a disgrace. They are losing now 7,000 soldiers — Ukrainian soldiers and Russian soldiers. They are also losing people now in the town and cities because Putin sending them with rockets. I think it's disgraceful."

The commander-in-chief also said he would send his special envoy Steve Witkoff, who is currently in Israel, to visit Russia.

Putin has already met Witkoff multiple times in Moscow, before Trump's efforts to mend ties with the Kremlin came to a stop.

The US has given Russia until the end of next week to cease attacks in Ukraine, under threat of severe economic sanctions.

"We're going to put sanctions. I don't know that sanctions bother him," Trump said, referring to Putin.

The POTUS has earlier threatened that new measures could mean "secondary tariffs" targeting Russia's remaining trade partners, such as China and India.

This move would further stifle Russia and would risk significant international disruption.

Donald Trump's earlier jab at Vladimir Putin

This is not the first time Donald Trump has slammed Vladimir Putin for the ongoing war against Ukraine. 

In May, the POTUS blasted the Russian president over the deadly drone and missile attack that reportedly killed at least 12 people.

Trump told reporters on May 25 that he was "not happy" with what the Russian leader was doing and that he had no idea "what the hell happened to Putin."

"I’ve known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all," the 79-year-old said.

He added, "We’re in the middle of talking, and he’s sending rockets into Kyiv and other cities. I don’t like it at all. I’m very surprised. We’ll see what we’re going to do… I don’t like what Putin is doing… he’s killing people. Something happened to this guy, and I don’t like it."

Moreover, he took to Truth Social and wrote, "I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!"

"He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I’m not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever," Trump added.