Donald Trump said he was “very angry” and “angry” with Russian President Vladimir Putin after weeks of attempting to negotiate fire in Ukraine.
In an interview with NBC News, the US president said he was angry at Putin for the attack by Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelenski, the credibility and threatened to impose a 50% tariff on countries that buy Russian oil if he disagreed to end the fire.
“If Russia and I are not able to make a deal to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine and if I think it was the fault of Russia – which may not be … I will put secondary tariffs … to all the oils coming out of Russia,” he said.
The comments note a change in Trump's tone to Putin and Russia.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for a comment.
European leaders were worried that Trump coziness to Putin, as negotiations to end fire in Ukraine continue.
In the last six weeks, Trump has raised Zelenski in the oval office and has asked for numerous discounts from the President of Ukraine. He, for his part, caught up with Putin and was largely submitted to the demands of the Russian president.
This seems to be a deviation from this dynamic. This is the first time the United States has seriously threatened Russia with consequences for dragging its feet in negotiations to end the fire, which seems to return the diplomatic ball to Moscow's court.
NBC News reported that in a 10-minute telephone interview, Trump said he was very angry and “angry” when Putin criticized the authenticity of Zelenski's leadership, although the president called himself the leader of Ukraine and dictator and wanted to hold elections.
“You can say that I was very angry, angry when … Putin started to enter Zelenski's trust, because it doesn't go to the right place,” Trump said.
“The new leadership means you won't have a deal for a long time,” he added.
Trump said the Russians were aware of his anger, but noted that he had “very good relationships” with Putin and “anger is scattered quickly … if he does the right thing.”
If Russia does not follow the cessation of fire, Trump threatens to further focus on his economy if he thinks it is Putin's fault.
“There will be 25% oil tariff and other products sold in the United States, secondary tariffs,” Trump said, noting that tariffs for Russia will come in a month without a fire termination transaction.
Secondary tariffs can represent up to 50% for goods entering the United States from countries still buying oil from Russia. The largest such buyers with a long margin are China and India.
Trump said he would talk to Putin later during the week.