Trump doesn't want new sanctions on Russia but he'll impose them if needed, White House says

US President Donald Trump does not want to impose new sanctions against Russia as he prefers diplomacy. But he is ready to do so if necessary, says White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
According to her, one of the best features of Trump's negotiating style is that he wisely does not publicize his possible future steps.
“Certainly, the President has plenty of tools at his disposal that he could use if necessary, but he has always said that diplomacy and negotiation is his primary way of hoping to end this war,” Leavitt said.
She noted that this is exactly what Trump will be doing tomorrow during his meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
“But, certainly, there are sanctions and many other measures that the president could utilize if he has to. Not that he wants to, he's willing to, but again, diplomacy and negotiation has always been the way for this president, and that's part of his acceptance of the Russian president's request to have this meeting in person tomorrow,” the spokeswoman added.
Trump-Putin meeting
On Friday, August 15, US President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin will meet at the US military base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska.
During the talks, Trump hopes to reach an agreement with the Kremlin leader on a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Trump is not sure that he will be able to persuade Putin to stop attacking rear settlements and killings in Ukraine.
Trump also promised that he would not conclude any agreements with Putin without Ukraine's participation.
According to media reports, Putin may offer to recognize part of the occupied territories as Russian in exchange for the withdrawal of troops from other occupied areas.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will not leave Donbas in exchange for a ceasefire.
If the meeting in Alaska is successful, Trump is ready to hold a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy. It may take place as early as the end of next week.