Tensions flared as United States President Donald Trump voiced his deep frustration over Russian President Vladimir Putin’s latest remarks, condemning his suggestion that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky be replaced by a transitional government.
Speaking with NBC News on the 30th of March, 2025, Trump didn’t hold back, making it clear that Putin’s stance was not only unwelcome but also a direct threat to the fragile ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Expressing his discontent, he stated, “If I feel we’re in the midst of a negotiation, you could say that I was very angry, pissed off, when Putin started getting into Zelenskyy’s credibility, because that’s not going in the right direction.”
Trump underscored the gravity of Putin’s interference, warning that questioning Zelensky’s legitimacy could prolong the war indefinitely.
“New leadership means you’re not gonna have a deal for a long time,” he warned.
Beyond just words, Trump backed his displeasure with a bold economic threat secondary tariffs on Russian oil. If a ceasefire agreement failed to materialize, he vowed to impose severe penalties on Russia’s energy exports.
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“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 which it might not be but if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia.”
“The impact of such tariffs, ranging from 25 to 50 percent, would be felt worldwide, forcing nations that purchase Russian oil to reconsider their trade relationships with the U.S.
“That would be that if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States,” he asserted. “There will be a 25 percent tariff on all oil, a 25- to 50-point tariff on all oil.”
As of now, Moscow has remained silent on Trump’s latest remarks.
However, with a potential discussion between Trump and Putin looming later this week, the world watches closely to see if this heated exchange will escalate into something even more consequential.