In a recent interview, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. Trump stated he is “p***** off” at Putin and warned that he might impose secondary sanctions on Russian oil if the conflict does not come to a halt.
During the NBC interview, Trump emphasized that if he believes Russia is responsible for the continued violence, he would implement a 25 percent tariff on all oil exports from Russia. He indicated that he is planning to speak with Putin soon to discuss the situation.
Trump’s anger was particularly sparked by Putin’s comments questioning the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and suggesting a new leadership in Ukraine. This proposal was quickly dismissed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who rejected the idea of a temporary administration under UN supervision in Ukraine.
The ongoing war has prevented Ukraine from holding elections, as the constitution prohibits them under martial law, which has been in effect since Russia’s full-scale invasion began three years ago. Russian officials have repeatedly challenged Zelenskyy’s legitimacy, citing the lack of recent elections.
While there was no immediate response from Moscow regarding Trump’s comments, Russia has labeled Western sanctions as illegal and aimed at undermining its economy.
Trump’s remarks come after discussions with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, who suggested that a deadline be set for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Stubb proposed April 20 as a potential date, marking three months into Trump’s term.
In addition to the sanctions threat, Trump accused Zelenskyy of trying to back out of a proposed agreement regarding Ukraine’s natural resources. He implied that such actions could lead to serious problems for Zelenskyy.
Trump’s warning about tariffs on Russian oil follows a recent imposition of a similar tariff on U.S. imports from countries that purchase oil or gas from Venezuela. This new measure could significantly impact major buyers of Russian oil, such as China and India.
Despite his anger, Trump noted that he has had a good relationship with Putin in the past and that his frustration could dissipate if Putin takes the right actions regarding the war.