Trump says Ukraine war makes Russia look 'bad'

ISTANBUL

US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the prolonged Ukraine war is damaging Russia's image and accused China and India of funding the conflict by buying Russian oil.

"Everyone thought Russia would win this war in three days, but it didn't work out that way. It's not making Russia look good. It's making them look bad," Trump said in his address to the annual UN General Assembly.

The US leader said the war was "supposed to be just a quick little skirmish" but has continued for 3 1/2 years, asking: "How many more lives will be needlessly lost on both sides?"

Oil purchases under fire

Trump criticized major economies for continuing energy trade with Russia. "China and India are the primary funders of the ongoing war by continuing to purchase Russian oil," he said.

He also faulted NATO countries, saying: "Even NATO countries haven’t cut off much Russian energy and Russian energy products ... They're funding the war against themselves."

The US president called the situation "embarrassing," adding: "They're buying oil and gas from Russia while they are fighting Russia."

He threatened new sanctions on Russia, which "would stop the bloodshed ... very quickly" if it refuses to end the war, but conditioned their success on support from European countries.

"For those tariffs to be effective, European nations, all of you (who) are gathered here right now, would have to join us in adopting the exact same measures," he said.