Washington: In a surprising shift, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed deep frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the ongoing Ukraine war.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump condemned Putin for attacking the credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and issued a warning that he would impose a 50% tariff on countries purchasing Russian oil if a ceasefire agreement is not reached.
“If Russia and I fail to negotiate an end to the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I believe that it is Russia’s fault—which it may not be—I will impose tariffs on Russian oil,” Trump stated in the phone interview.
This marks a dramatic change in Trump's stance, as he has previously maintained a notably amicable tone towards Putin. European leaders have voiced concerns that Trump has been too lenient with Putin and has pressured Zelensky into making concessions without securing tangible results in peace talks.
Over the past six weeks, Trump has publicly criticized Zelensky multiple times, urging him to show flexibility in negotiations, while also praising Putin. However, this latest statement suggests a sharp policy shift, with the U.S. now seriously warning Russia of consequences if it continues to delay peace efforts.
Trump, according to NBC News, expressed his anger at Putin’s attacks on Zelensky’s leadership. However, it is worth noting that Trump himself has previously referred to Zelensky as an autocrat and demanded elections be held in Ukraine.
“I was very angry when Putin attacked Zelensky’s credibility because that’s not the right direction,” Trump said. He added that a change in leadership could mean that any negotiated agreement may not last long.
Despite his criticism, Trump maintained that he has a “very good relationship” with Putin and hinted that his anger could subside if the Russian leader takes appropriate steps towards peace.
Trump also threatened to target Russia’s economy, warning that if the ceasefire negotiations fail due to Putin’s actions, the U.S. would impose secondary tariffs of up to 25% on all goods and oil imported into the country. Secondary tariffs would impact nations trading with Russia, meaning countries such as China and India, which purchase Russian oil, could face tariffs of up to 50% on their exports to the U.S.
Following Trump’s remarks, Ukrainian President Zelensky took to social media, criticizing Russia for prolonging the war. “Putin is playing the same game as in 2014,” Zelensky wrote, referring to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. He urged the U.S., Europe, and other global partners to respond appropriately.
Trump, however, confirmed that he intends to speak with Putin again by the end of the week.
Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and currently occupies 20% of Ukraine’s territory.
During the same NBC interview, Trump also made a controversial statement about running for a third presidential term, despite U.S. constitutional restrictions. “Many people want that, but I tell them there’s still a long way to go,” he said.
Additionally, Trump issued a warning to Iran, threatening military action if Tehran refuses to comply with a nuclear agreement.
