US President Donald Trump said he may need to let Ukraine and Russia "fight for a while" before brokering a peace deal and hinted he might be willing to impose new sanctions on the two countries if he decides the conflict is not going to end.

"Sometimes you let them fight for a while," Trump said during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday. "You see it in hockey, you see it in sports, the referee lets them fight for a few seconds, lets them fight for a while before you pull them apart."

Trump said he would be willing to punish both countries if he did not believe they were sincere about peace.

"Quite frankly, it could be both countries' fault," Trump said. "You know, it takes two to tango, but they're going to do it, we're going to be very tough, whether it's Russia or whoever."

European leaders have worried that Trump, who has expressed frustration with efforts to end Russia's war in Ukraine, would abandon the talks and US support for Kyiv. Trump said he believed Germany agreed with him on the need to end the conflict with Ukraine.

"My personal view is that we are on the side of Ukraine, and we are trying to make them stronger, just to get Putin to stop this war," Merz added.

The U.S. president also said he understood that Russia would likely retaliate after a Ukrainian drone strike that targeted an airfield and embarrassed the Kremlin.

"He got hit," Trump said of Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom he spoke with earlier this week. "He took a hit, so I understand, but he got hit hard, and I don't think he's playing around."

Trump's rhetoric may worry European partners, who hope to convince him to increase pressure on Putin to force the Russian leader to the negotiating table. Putin has rejected calls for a ceasefire; Trump is expected to meet with key U.S. allies at the G-7 and a NATO summit later this month.

"We are all looking for steps and instruments to end this terrible war," Merz said. "So let's talk about what we can do together, and we are ready to do what we can. And you know that we are supporting Ukraine and that we are looking for more pressure on Russia." Trump said the leaders would also discuss a possible trade deal with the European Union that he hopes will lead to increased U.S. energy exports.

"We're going to have a good trade deal. I mean, I think it's going to be determined largely by the European Union, but you're a very big part of it," Trump said.

Trump highlighted his efforts to boost U.S. energy production and find more markets.

"We have so much oil and gas. You're not going to be able to buy it all. I mean, you really do. We have so much. And I hope we're going to make it part of our trade deal."

The meeting between Merz and Trump on Thursday was an early test for the 69-year-old conservative who became Germany's new leader last month. Merz is visiting Washington in an effort to strengthen ties strained by Trump's massive tariffs and Russia's war in Ukraine — issues that are expected to dominate their agendas. (alg)

Source: Bloomberg