Former President Donald Trump has intensified his criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, threatening to impose steep tariffs on Russian oil if peace talks regarding Ukraine fail. In an interview on “Meet the Press,” Trump expressed his frustration with the ongoing negotiations, indicating that he could impose tariffs ranging from 25% to 50% on Russian oil shipments “at any moment.”
Trump stated that he plans to speak with Putin this week. He made it clear that if he believes Russia is responsible for the lack of progress in peace talks, he will take action. “If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine… I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia,” he said.
This statement marks a significant shift in Trump’s approach, as he has previously been criticized for his alignment with Putin. Since the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine over three years ago, Trump has often downplayed Russia’s role in the conflict, even labeling Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “dictator” while refraining from applying the same label to Putin.
In addition to his comments on Russia, Trump mentioned that he might also consider imposing tariffs on Iran if it fails to reach an agreement with the U.S. regarding its nuclear program. This reflects his broader strategy of using tariffs as a tool to influence foreign policy and compel nations to comply with U.S. interests.
The White House has not yet responded to Trump’s remarks, leaving many to wonder how these threats will affect international relations and ongoing negotiations in both Ukraine and Iran.