Trump Threatens Russia With Tariffs Over Ukraine War Standoff
US President Demands Deal Within 50 Days or Faces Severe Economic Sanctions
President **Donald Trump** has issued a stark ultimatum to Russia, threatening severe tariffs if a resolution to the Ukraine war isn’t reached within 50 days. The announcement came during a meeting with NATO Secretary General **Mark Rutte**, signaling a potential shift in the administration’s approach to the protracted conflict.
Diplomatic Push Amidst Escalating Tensions
The US President declared his intention to leverage trade as a tool for conflict resolution, stating, “We’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days,”
adding, “I use trade for a lot of things… But it’s great for settling wars.”
Details regarding the specific nature of these tariffs were not immediately available.
This development follows a period of increasing frustration from **Trump** regarding Russian President **Vladimir Putin**’s steadfast position on peace initiatives. **Trump**’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, retired Lt Gen **Keith Kellogg**, recently met with Ukrainian President **Volodymyr Zelensky** in Kyiv, fueling speculation about potential policy adjustments.
Shifting Dynamics in US-Ukraine Relations
President **Zelensky** described his conversation with **Kellogg** as productive, focusing on enhancing Ukrainian air defenses, joint arms production, and the acquisition of U.S. weaponry. He expressed hope for continued U.S. leadership, emphasizing that “Moscow will not stop unless its … ambitions are stopped by force.”
The Ukrainian leader later reported a phone call with **Trump**, stating they discussed strategies for better protecting civilians from Russian attacks and strengthening Ukraine’s position. **Zelensky** noted that **Trump** had “agreed to catch up more often by phone and co-ordinate our steps in the future.”
The U.S. is also sending additional Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine, with the European Union set to reimburse the U.S. for advanced weaponry. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), military aid to Ukraine has been substantial since the conflict began, highlighting the complex international financial and logistical efforts involved (SIPRI, 2024).
International Response and Concerns
NATO Secretary General **Mark Rutte** is scheduled for further discussions with U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary **Pete Hegseth** and Secretary of State **Marco Rubio**, as well as members of Congress.
Despite previously boasting of a friendly relationship with **Putin**, **Trump** has recently expressed disappointment. “I am very disappointed with President Putin, I thought he was somebody that meant what he said,”
**Trump** remarked, citing Putin’s actions of “bomb[ing] people at night.”
This follows earlier criticisms where **Trump** accused **Zelensky** of prolonging the war and called him a “dictator without elections.”
A senior Russian politician, **Konstantin Kosachev**, criticized **Trump**’s tariff proposal, suggesting its primary beneficiary would be “the US military-industrial complex.”
Meanwhile, European nations including Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the UK, and Denmark are expected to procure weapons to supply Ukraine, with **Rutte** stressing that “speed is of the essence.”
