Trump threatens Putin with oil tariffs if he doesn't make a ceasefire in Ukraine

2025-03-31 09:12:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Trump threatens Putin with oil tariffs if he doesn't make a ceasefire in

United States President Donald Trump said he would impose secondary tariffs - of 25 to 50 percent - on Russian oil if he feels Moscow is blocking his efforts to end the war in Ukraine.

In a phone interview with NBC News, he said he was "very angry" when Russian President Vladimir Putin called for the creation of a transitional government in Ukraine, from which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be excluded.

"If Russia and I cannot make a deal to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it's Russia's fault - which it may not be - but if I think it's Russia's fault, I will put secondary tariffs on oil, on all the oil that comes out of Russia," Trump said.

"This means that if you buy oil from Russia, you can't do business in the United States. There will be a 25 percent tariff on all oil, a 25 to 50 percent tariff on all oil," he added.

Trump also stressed that trade measures would be imposed within a month if a ceasefire agreement is not reached.

His statements come after the White House announced on March 25 that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire and to allow navigation in the Black Sea, as well as not to strike each other's energy facilities.

However, problems with implementing the agreement persist.

Kiev says it would take effect immediately, while Moscow is first seeking a partial lifting of sanctions related to Russian companies and banks involved in international food trade.

Trump told NBC that he will speak with Putin this week.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Trump also said Ukrainian leader Zelensky would face "big problems" if he did not sign the minerals deal with Washington.

"We made a deal on rare earths. And now, he says - you know - I want to renegotiate the deal."

"He wants to be a member of NATO, but he will never be a member of NATO. He understands that," Trump added.

The Ukrainian government said on March 28 that it is reviewing a draft agreement with the United States on rare earth minerals, following media reports that Washington has changed its terms several times.

Beyond the diplomatic front, Kiev accused Moscow on Sunday of a "war crime" after, as it said, its drones hit a military hospital.

The attack hit Kharkiv - Ukraine's second largest city - and also targeted a shopping mall, apartment blocks and other targets. Authorities said at least two people were killed./ CNA