Trump Threatens ‘Very Severe’ Tariffs on Russia If It Doesn’t End Ukraine War in 50 Days
US President Donald Trump on Monday warned of “very severe” tariffs against Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine within 50 days, escalating pressure on Moscow as the war continues to drag on. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “We’re going to be doing secondary tariffs. If we don’t have a deal in 50 days, it’s very simple. And they’ll be at 100 percent, and that’s the way it is.”
Trump expressed frustration with Putin’s handling of the conflict, accusing the Russian leader of making false promises of peace while continuing missile strikes on Ukraine. “I am very disappointed with President Putin. I thought he was somebody that meant what he said — and he’ll talk so beautifully, then he’ll bomb people at night. I don’t like it,” Trump said.
The remarks came during a joint appearance with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who supported Trump’s stance, urging Russia to take negotiations seriously. “If I was Vladimir Putin today, and you’re speaking about what you are planning to do in 50 days, I would reconsider whether I should not take negotiations about Ukraine more seriously,” Rutte said.
Trump also announced that the United States will send additional Patriot missile systems to NATO allies to bolster support for Ukraine amid ongoing Russian attacks. “It’s a full complement with the batteries,” Trump said, adding that deliveries would begin within days, with some countries set to swap their Patriots to replace older systems.
The warning follows Trump’s earlier statements expressing dissatisfaction with Russia’s actions in Ukraine. “We’re not happy with Putin — I’m not happy with Putin because he’s killing a lot of people,” Trump said last week, describing the drawn-out conflict as “tougher” than expected, with a growing death toll and rising global tensions.
The Biden administration had earlier imposed several rounds of sanctions on Russia, but Trump’s fresh threat of 100% tariffs marks a new economic pressure tactic aimed at forcing Moscow to end the war. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which began in February 2022, has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions while reshaping European security dynamics.
There was no immediate response from the Kremlin on Trump’s remarks, but the statements have generated significant attention globally, with analysts noting that the potential tariffs could impact Russia’s weakened economy further while testing Moscow’s diplomatic resilience.
