US President Donald Trump has expressed that he was “very angry” with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, according to NBC, indicating a notable shift in tone as Washington aims to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
Kristen Welker from NBC reported that Mr. Trump reached out to convey his frustration over Mr. Putin’s comments regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s future as a leader—remarks that Mr. Trump himself has previously made.
On her NBC show ‘Meet The Press’, Ms. Welker cited a direct quote from an early morning phone conversation with the president.
Mr. Trump stated that “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,” he would impose “secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for a 30-day ceasefire.
Since taking office, President Trump has been advocating for a swift conclusion to the protracted three-year war, yet his administration has not achieved any significant breakthroughs despite discussions with both parties.
Mr. Putin has rejected the joint US-Ukrainian ceasefire proposal and suggested on Friday that Mr. Zelensky be ousted from power as part of the peace negotiations.
Ukraine has accused Russia of prolonging talks with no genuine intention to cease its offensive, while a new attack occurred over the weekend targeting the northeastern border city of Kharkiv.
Mr. Trump told NBC that Mr. Putin is aware of his anger but mentioned he has “a very good relationship with him” and that “the anger dissipates quickly … if he does the right thing.”
Regarding the threat of secondary tariffs, Mr. Trump explained to NBC, “that would mean if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States.”
“There will be a 25% tariff on all oil, a 25 to 50 point tariff on all oil,” he further elaborated, without offering more specifics.
Mr. Trump’s statements to NBC imply that he could also impose similar actions against US imports from nations purchasing oil from Russia, potentially impacting China and India significantly.
According to US government data, the country has not imported any Russian crude oil since April 2022.
Prior to that, US refiners purchased varying amounts of Russian oil, peaking at 98.1 million barrels in 2010 and dropping to 6.6 million barrels in 2014, as per a review of EIA data from 2000 onward.
As of 2024, India surpassed China as the largest buyer of seaborne Russian crude, accounting for approximately 35% of India’s total crude imports.
Mr. Trump also mentioned that he could apply secondary sanctions against buyers of Iranian oil if Tehran fails to reach an agreement to terminate its nuclear weapons program.
Alexander Stubb’s office indicated he advised Mr. Trump on the need for a truce deadline.
Mr. Trump’s remarks came after a day of meetings and golf with Finnish President Alexander Stubb during the latter’s unexpected visit to Florida.
According to Mr. Stubb’s office, he suggested to the president that a deadline for establishing a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire should be set, proposing April 20, as Mr. Trump would be in office for three months by then.
US officials have been pressing Ukraine to agree to a critical minerals deal, which reportedly demands that Ukraine deliver all of its natural resources income for years.
Mr. Zelensky remarked that Ukraine’s legal team needs to review the draft before he can provide more insight on the US offer.
The latest tariff threats from Mr. Trump would exacerbate the difficulties already faced by China, India, and other nations due to trade measures enacted during his initial two months in office, including tariffs on steel, aluminum, and automobiles.
Further duties on imports from countries with significant trade surpluses are expected to be announced on Wednesday.
William Reinsch, a former senior Commerce Department official now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that the chaotic manner in which Mr. Trump is announcing and threatening tariffs raises numerous unanswered questions, such as how US officials would trace and confirm the countries buying Russian oil.
Volodymyr Zelensky stated there ‘could already be’ a truce if ‘real pressure on Russia’ existed.
The warming relations between the United States and Russia following Mr. Trump’s return to office, along with his threats to discontinue support for Ukraine, have emboldened Russia in its ongoing military campaign.
Having held power for 25 years and repeatedly elected amid non-competitive elections, Mr. Putin has frequently questioned Mr. Zelensky’s “legitimacy” as president, particularly since Zelensky’s initial five-year term concluded in May 2024.
Under Ukrainian law, elections are halted during significant military conflicts, and Mr. Zelensky’s domestic opponents argue that no elections should occur until the conflict concludes.
President Trump has had a tumultuous relationship with Mr. Zelensky, labeling him a “dictator” and engaging in a public confrontation with him at the White House last month.
“For far too long, America’s proposal for an unconditional ceasefire has remained unaddressed by Russia,” Mr. Zelensky asserted in his evening address yesterday.
“A ceasefire could already be in place if genuine pressure were applied to Russia,” he continued, expressing gratitude towards those nations “who understand this” and have intensified sanctions against the Kremlin.
While both Moscow and Kyiv agreed to the notion of a Black Sea truce following discussions with US officials earlier this week, Russia has stipulated that the agreement will not become effective until Ukraine’s allies lift certain sanctions.
