Trump's threat against Russia runs parallel to a Senate-led effort to pass crippling sanctions on countries that buy Russian energy.

Trump also revealed that Putin had recently offered to assist in mediating between Israel and Iran during their brief June conflict — an offer he declined. “I said, ‘No, no, you help me get a settlement with you, with Russia,’” Trump recounted. “And I think we're going to be doing that too.”

Trump also expressed deep frustration with Putin, accusing him of talking peace while intensifying missile strikes in Ukraine. “I am very disappointed with President Putin,” he said. “He talks so beautifully,