Trump says he's 'not done' with Putin as 100% tariff threat looms
Share and Follow


WASHINGTON () President Donald Trump is “disappointed but not done” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, following an announcement of new military support for Ukraine and a plan to target buyers of Russian oil with severe tariffs.

Speaking to the BBC hours after the announcement, Trump expressed frustration with Putin’s resistance to U.S.-led peace efforts, and when pressed on whether he trusts the Russian leader, he replied: “I trust almost nobody.”

Russia has 50 days to negotiate a ceasefire with Ukraine. If not, countries that continue to import Russian energy could face secondary tariffs of up to 100%, Trump said.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called Trump’s move a “theatrical ultimatum,” posting on social media: “The world shuddered, expecting the consequences. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didn’t care.”

While the Kremlin has not directly responded to Trump’s remarks, a senior Russian official involved in negotiations with the United States described the move as a “doomed-to-fail attempt at pressure.”

Russia has continued to receive weapons from its trading partners, helping it bypass existing sanctions.

‘Severe’ tariff threat on Russia looms

Trump has said he hopes the tariff threat can push a deal to end Russia’s three-year war in Ukraine.

“We thought we had four deals with Putin,” Trump said Monday. “We get off the phone after a nice conversation, and then he sends missiles into buildings. I said, ‘What was that all about?’”

June marked the highest number of civilian casualties of the war, according to the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

Seated alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office on Monday, Trump also announced new weapons for Ukraine and threatened secondary tariffs of 100% on buyers of Russian exports, of which crude oil makes up a significant portion.

Trump’s tariff threat is aimed at countries funding Russia’s war through oil and gas purchases, which remain Moscow’s key revenue stream. The proposed 100% tariffs would drastically increase economic pressure on those buyers.

US tariffs, weapons support gains bipartisan backing

Trump’s plan received bipartisan support on Capitol Hill. 

Senators Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., said they’d push a bill to impose 500% tariffs against any country importing Russian oil and gas legislation that already gathered more than 80 co-sponsors.

Trump signaled the bill may not be needed if Russia agrees to a ceasefire.

Zelenskyy thanks Trump, NATO for renewed support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump and NATO for the new military aid.

On Monday, he spoke with Trump by phone, calling it a “good conversation” and expressing gratitude for U.S. support.

“Thank you for the willingness to support Ukraine and to continue working together to stop the killings and establish a lasting and just peace,” Zelenskyy wrote.

Zelenskyy also met in Kyiv with Trump’s special envoy, retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, amid growing speculation that the Trump administration could shift its stance on the war.

With renewed aid, Ukraine is expected to receive more defense missiles to help repel intensifying Russian airstrikes. Some NATO members are also preparing to transfer Patriot missile systems to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
'Doomsday Plane' spotted over LA after Maduro's capture sparks panic

Doomsday Aircraft Sighted Over Los Angeles Following Maduro’s Arrest, Stirring Public Concern

Social media was abuzz with speculation after President Donald Trump’s emergency command…
Portland police chief cries while admitting DHS was right about Tren de Aragua ties in CBP shooting

Portland Police Chief Acknowledges Tren de Aragua Links in CBP Shooting, Shares Emotional Response

During a press briefing on Friday, Portland Police Chief Bob Day became…
Minneapolis ICE shooting: Anti-ICE protests held across Chicago area in response to deadly federal agent shooting of Renee Good

Chicago Rallies Ignite: Nationwide Outcry Against ICE Following Minneapolis Shooting of Renee Good

CHICAGO (WLS) — Demonstrations against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) erupted…
Mississippi man charged with murder after 6 killed in overnight shootings, including 7-year-old

Mississippi Man Faces Murder Charges Following Overnight Shootings Claiming Six Lives, Including a 7-Year-Old

A tragic series of shootings in northeast Mississippi has led to the…
Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Teyana Taylor and more

Star-Studded Lineup: Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, and Teyana Taylor Shine in Latest Celebrity Gathering

The glitz and glamour of Hollywood were on full display as the…
Protester scales Iranian Embassy in London, tears down regime flag, hoists pre-revolution symbol

Activist Climbs Iranian Embassy in London, Replaces Regime Flag with Pre-Revolution Emblem

An anti-regime protester made a bold statement on Friday by scaling the…
Iran protests grow deadlier as regime internet blackout fails to stop uprising

Escalating Iran Protests Persist Despite Government’s Internet Blackout

Iran finds itself in the grips of widespread unrest as anti-government protests…
Exclusive | Biden HR official vouched for National Guard shooter saying he posed 'no threat' to national security

Exclusive: Biden Administration HR Official Endorsed National Guard Shooter, Claiming ‘No Threat’ to National Security

Four years prior to a tragic incident in Washington, D.C., resulting in…