Donald Trump said he was “very angry” and “angered” with Russian President Vladimir Putin weeks later in an attempt to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine.
In an NBC news interview, the US president said he was angry with Putin for attacking the credibility of Ukrainian President Voldy Mie Zelensky and threatened to impose a 50% tariff on the country that purchases Russian oil if he disagrees with a ceasefire.
“If Russia and I can’t get a contract by stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it’s Russia’s fault – that may not be… I’m going to impose secondary tariffs on all the oil coming out of Russia,” he said.
The comments show the change in Trump’s tone towards Putin and Russia.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
European leaders were worried that Trump might be working with Putin as negotiations on a ceasefire in Ukraine continue.
For the past six weeks, Trump tormented Zelensky in his oval office, demanding numerous concessions from the Ukrainian president. He then praised Putin and was heavily handed over the demands of the Russian president.
This appears to be a departure from that dynamic. It is the first time the US has seriously threatened Russia, and as a result of limping in ceasefire negotiations, it appears that the diplomatic ball will be returned to the Moscow court.
In a 10-minute telephone interview, NBC News said that when Putin criticized the credibility of Zelensky’s leadership, he was extremely angry and “offended,” but the president himself called the Ukrainian leader a dictator and demanded that he vote.
“You can say I was very angry and angry.
“New leadership means you’re not going to make a deal for a long time,” he added.
Trump said the Russians knew his rage, but he had a “very good relationship” with Putin and said, “The rage will quickly dissipate… if he does the right thing.”
If Russia had not continued with a ceasefire, Trump threatened to target the economy more if he thought it was Putin’s fault.
“There is a 25% tariff on oil and other products sold in the US and secondary tariffs,” Trump said, noting that Russia’s tariffs will come in one month without a ceasefire deal.
Secondary tariffs could account for up to 50% of goods entered the US from countries that still buy oil from Russia. With a long margin, the biggest buyers such as China and India are.
Zelensky wrote on social media following the interview that “Russia continues to search for excuses to drag this war further.”
He said when Russia unilaterally annexed the Crimea Peninsula, “Putin has been playing the same game he has since 2014.”
“This is dangerous for everyone. And there should be appropriate responses from the US, Europe and all global partners seeking peace.”
Trump said he would talk to Putin later in the week.
