United States President Donald Trump has expressed strong displeasure over recent remarks made by Russian President Vladimir Putin, condemning his call for the removal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in favor of a transitional government.
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In an exclusive interview with NBC News on Sunday, Trump voiced his frustration, stating that Putin’s comments could derail ongoing ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
“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 declared.
He further warned that new leadership in Ukraine would delay any potential peace deal, adding, “New leadership means you’re not gonna have a deal for a long time.”
Escalating his stance, Trump issued a stern warning to Russia, threatening to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil exports if a ceasefire deal was not reached soon.
The proposed tariffs, ranging from 25 to 50 percent, would be enforced within a month should negotiations fail.
“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 stated.
“That would mean that if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States. There will be a 25 percent tariff on all oil, a 25- to 50-point tariff on all oil.”
This latest development comes amid Trump’s past criticism of Zelensky, whom he previously labeled a “dictator” while questioning his approval ratings in Ukraine.
His remarks reflect ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Ukraine’s leadership, even as he takes a firm stance against Russia’s interference.
As of now, Moscow has not responded to Trump’s statements. However, Trump indicated that he plans to speak with Putin later this week, potentially setting the stage for further diplomatic maneuvering in the high-stakes conflict.