Former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed deep frustration over recent comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Putin’s suggestion of a transitional government in Ukraine, which could potentially remove Zelenskyy, was met with anger from Trump, who described these remarks as “not going in the right direction”.
Trump, who has generally maintained a positive relationship with Putin, stated he was “very angry” and “pissed off” by the Russian leader’s comments. He warned that if Russia fails to agree on a ceasefire in Ukraine and he believes Russia is at fault, he would impose significant tariffs on Russian oil. These tariffs could range from 25% to 50% and would affect not only Russian oil but also other products sold in the U.S..
Moreover, Trump threatened that any country purchasing Russian oil would face restrictions on doing business in the United States. This move echoes his previous strategy with Venezuela, where he announced similar secondary tariffs on countries buying oil and gas from the South American nation.
The situation is particularly sensitive given that top importers of Russian oil include China, Turkey, Brazil, and India. If Trump’s policy is implemented as described, these countries could face economic repercussions due to their reliance on Russian oil.
Trump’s comments come after a tumultuous period in U.S.-Russia relations, with ongoing efforts to broker a peace deal in Ukraine. Despite previous meetings and agreements, a comprehensive ceasefire remains elusive. Trump and Putin are set to discuss the matter further this week.
In addition to his stance on Russia, Trump also addressed tensions with Iran, threatening severe action if Iran does not agree to prevent nuclear weapon development. However, Iranian officials have rejected direct negotiations with the U.S. on this issue.
