Trump Expresses Outrage at Putin Over Stalled Peace Talks, Threatens Tariffs on Russian Oil
In a surprising turn of events that underscores growing tensions between two of the world’s most powerful figures, former U.S. President Donald Trump has publicly lashed out at Russian President Vladimir Putin over the ongoing deadlock in peace negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. During a recent interview with NBC News, Trump did not hold back, stating bluntly that he is “very angry” and “pissed off” at Putin for making comments and taking actions that he believes are derailing the peace process.
Putin’s Provocative Proposal
Trump’s fury was triggered by a suggestion reportedly made by Putin in private diplomatic circles and later alluded to in Russian media. According to Trump, Putin proposed replacing Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with an interim government backed by the United Nations and the United States — a move that would effectively remove the democratically elected leader of a sovereign nation and install a puppet regime more amenable to Russian interests.
“That kind of comment doesn’t go in the right direction,” Trump said, expressing strong disapproval. He added that such ideas “infuriate” him and show a “complete lack of respect” for Ukraine’s independence and for the ongoing international efforts to bring peace to the region.
Escalating the Pressure: Tariff Threats
In response to Putin’s actions and what he sees as a deliberate stalling of diplomacy, Trump announced he would consider taking aggressive economic measures against Russia if the situation does not improve. Specifically, he threatened the imposition of what he called “secondary tariffs” on Russian oil exports — a drastic move that could severely impact Russia’s economy, which relies heavily on oil and gas revenues.
These secondary tariffs would mean that any country or corporation purchasing oil from Russia could be barred from doing business with the United States. Trump also mentioned a flat 25% tariff on Russian oil, signaling a tough stance that aims to isolate the Russian economy further unless concrete steps are taken toward a peace agreement.
“If Putin is the one standing in the way of peace, then he needs to know there will be consequences,” Trump said, adding that “we can’t let this go on forever. Too many lives have already been lost.”
Balancing Tough Talk with Diplomacy
While Trump’s comments were sharply critical of the Russian leader, he stopped short of advocating for a total diplomatic breakdown. In the same interview, he expressed a desire to maintain a constructive relationship with Putin, insisting that a peaceful resolution is still possible if both sides act in good faith.
“I’ve always said we can have a good relationship with Russia — but not like this,” Trump noted. “Putin needs to step up and make the right decision. This war needs to end, and it needs to end now.”
The Bigger Picture
Trump’s remarks come at a time when global pressure is mounting on Russia to de-escalate the war in Ukraine. The conflict, which began in 2022 with Russia’s full-scale invasion,
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