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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, said he was "very angry" after the Russian leader Vladimir Putin criticized the credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's leadership.
"If Russia and I are unable to reach an agreement to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I believe it was Russia's fault - which may not be the case - but if I believe it was Russia's fault, I will impose secondary tariffs on oil, especially on the oil coming from Russia," Trump said during a phone call with NBC News this Sunday.
Trump stated that he would consider imposing secondary tariffs on Russian oil or sanctions on other countries purchasing oil from Russia if Putin and he could not reach an agreement "to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine."
"That would mean that if you buy oil from Russia, you cannot do business in the United States, there will be a 25 percent tariff on all oil, a tariff of 25 to 50 points on all oil," Trump stated and added that he plans to talk to Putin this week.
His statements come after Putin called on Friday for a "transitional administration" in Ukraine as a condition to end the war. The leader of the Kremlin regime promised that his army would "finish off" the Ukrainian troops, while Donald Trump advocates for a ceasefire.
In a televised intervention, Putin reiterated that he believes Zelenski lacks legitimacy because his mandate expired last year. Ukrainians elect their presidents for five-year terms, and Zelenski's was supposed to end in May 2024, but Ukraine is under martial law due to the Russian invasion.
In a report from AFP, the agency argued that it was a "renewed call" to overthrow the Ukrainian leader in order to establish a regime in Kiev that is more favorable to Moscow.
Just hours after Putin and Trump discussed a 30-day ceasefire to halt attacks on energy facilities, Ukraine experienced a wave of bombings.
In Slovyansk, in the Donetsk region, a Russian attack destroyed part of the electrical grid, leaving thousands of citizens without power. In Kramatorsk, explosions in residential areas caused destruction and panic among the residents.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Relationships between Trump, Putin, and the Conflict in Ukraine
Why is Trump "very angry" with Putin?
Trump expressed his anger with Putin due to the Russian leader's criticisms of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the lack of an agreement to stop the conflict in Ukraine. Trump threatened to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil if an agreement is not reached to end the bloodshed in Ukraine.
What measures has Trump proposed to pressure Russia and stop the war in Ukraine?
Trump has proposed imposing tariffs on Russian oil and sanctions on countries that purchase oil from Russia if an agreement to stop the war in Ukraine is not reached. Furthermore, he has threatened with more severe economic sanctions if Russia does not cease its military offensive.
What is Putin's stance on Zelensky's leadership in Ukraine?
Putin believes that Zelenski lacks legitimacy because his term allegedly expired last year, and he has called for a "transitional administration" in Ukraine. This stance is part of a strategy to install a regime more favorable to Moscow in Kiev.
How have Ukraine and Zelensky reacted to the talks between Trump and Putin?
Zelensky has criticized Russia's stance and demands explanations from Trump following the ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, despite the supposed ceasefire commitments discussed between Trump and Putin. Zelensky has also emphasized that Ukraine's sovereignty is non-negotiable and has called for greater international support.
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