Trump Slams Putin Over Ukraine War, Threatens New Tariffs on Russian Oil
Former US President Donald Trump has expressed strong frustration with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, saying he is “very angry, pissed off” over recent remarks about Ukraine’s leadership. This marks a noticeable shift in tone as Washington continues efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
NBC’s Kristen Welker revealed on “Meet The Press” that Trump personally called her early Sunday morning to express his outrage after Putin questioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s future—despite Trump himself previously making similar remarks.
Trump’s Warning to Russia
During the conversation, Trump made it clear that if the US and Russia fail to reach a peace deal and he determines that Russia is to blame, he will impose harsh economic penalties.
“If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault… I am going to put secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia,” Trump warned.
Despite his anger, Trump emphasized that he maintains a “very good relationship” with Putin, adding that “the anger dissipates quickly… if he does the right thing.”
Ongoing Conflict and Stalled Peace Talks
Since taking office, Trump has pushed for a swift resolution to the war, but negotiations with both sides have yet to yield results. Putin recently rejected a joint US-Ukraine ceasefire proposal and suggested that removing Zelensky from power should be part of the peace process. This stance has drawn criticism, with Ukraine accusing Russia of stalling negotiations while continuing its military offensive.
Over the weekend, Russian forces launched fresh attacks on the northeastern city of Kharkiv, killing at least two people and injuring medical personnel at a military hospital. Additionally, Moscow’s troops captured a village near the border of Ukraine’s central Dnipropetrovsk region—an area they have been inching toward for months in pursuit of a strategic breakthrough.
Zelensky Calls for Stronger Action Against Russia
Zelensky, responding to Putin’s remarks, urged Ukraine’s allies to increase pressure on Russia rather than wait for negotiations to play out. In his Saturday night address, he criticized what he sees as a lack of sufficient international action.
“For too long now, America’s proposal for an unconditional ceasefire has been on the table without an adequate response from Russia,” Zelensky said. “There could already be a ceasefire if there was real pressure on Russia.”
While both Moscow and Kyiv have tentatively agreed to discussions on a potential Black Sea truce, Russia has conditioned any peace efforts on the lifting of Western sanctions—an expectation Ukraine and its allies have strongly opposed.
Trump’s Economic Threat to Russia
Trump elaborated on his proposed tariffs, stating that they would significantly impact Russia’s ability to sell oil on the global market.
“If you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States,” he said, suggesting a potential 25 to 50 percent tariff on all Russian oil exports.
As the war drags on with no immediate resolution in sight, Trump’s remarks signal a tougher stance on Russia’s role in prolonging the conflict—while also leaving the door open for negotiations if Putin “does the right thing.”
News Source : “Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.”
