United States President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Russia, threatening economic sanctions if a ceasefire deal in Ukraine fails.
The warning comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested sidelining Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky in favor of a transitional government.
Speaking in an interview with NBC News on Sunday, Trump criticized Putin’s remarks and expressed frustration over the stalled peace negotiations.
“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 said.
The U.S. president emphasized that leadership changes in Ukraine could further complicate diplomatic efforts, delaying any potential resolution to the conflict.
He also made it clear that Russia would face economic consequences if he deemed it responsible for the failure of ceasefire talks.
“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,” Trump declared.
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He further elaborated that any country purchasing Russian oil could face restrictions in doing business with the United States.
Additionally, he proposed imposing tariffs ranging from 25 to 50 percent on Russian oil exports.
Trump’s remarks mark a significant shift in tone, diverging from his previous diplomatic approach toward Putin.
His stance has drawn scrutiny, particularly in Europe, where allies have been skeptical of his handling of the Ukraine conflict.
Moscow has yet to respond to Trump’s latest warning, while the White House confirmed that the president plans to speak with Putin later in the week.
The latest development underscores Trump’s unpredictable approach to foreign policy, as he attempts to navigate a delicate balance between pressuring Russia and negotiating a peace deal in Ukraine.