Trump has tried to bring the two sides to the negotiating table to end the war and has ratcheted up his rhetoric against Russia if it continues to refuse to agree to a ceasefire. His administration has also taken steps to undercut Putin's economic leverage by threatening tariffs on countries that continue to purchase Russian energy.
Earlier this month, the White House announced that Trump signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on India over its purchases of Russian oil, which helps finance Putin's ongoing war in Ukraine.
The order also deemed Russia's aggression against Ukraine an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security and created a mechanism for relevant federal agencies to monitor other potential violators.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview ahead of Trump's meeting with Putin that America's European allies should get on board with applying more economic pressure on Russia's energy sector and clamping down on cash flows that are financing Russia's military campaign.