Trump says US ready to move to 2nd phase of sanctions against Russia

WASHINGTON -- US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the White House is ready to move to the second phase of sanctions against Russia amid stalled peace talks to halt the Ukraine crisis.

Asked by a reporter if he's ready to move to "the second phase of sanctions against Russia" as he left the White House for New York, Trump answered, "Yeah, I am." He did not elaborate.

Trump has grown increasingly pessimistic about the chance of brokering an end to the conflict anytime soon or seeing the Russian and Ukrainian presidents meet in person, reported NBC News last week, citing two senior administration officials.

A key building in Kyiv's government district was attacked during Russia's drone and missile attack overnight into Sunday morning, according to US media outlets.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said it was the first time since the start of the conflict that the main government building in Kyiv had been damaged.