President Trump has issued a blunt ultimatum to Vladimir Putin, declaring that Russia has 50 days to end the war in Ukraine or face “secondary tariffs” at 100 percent. The announcement followed Trump’s meeting at the White House with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
While reports swirled that traditional sanctions against Russia might be reintroduced, Trump opted instead to wield tariffs as his primary economic weapon.
Trump also revealed that the United States will send weapons to NATO, which, according to Rutte, will be delivered to Ukraine.
“I’m going to have Mark speak about it, but we’ve made a deal today where we are going to be sending them weapons and they’re going to be paying for them,” Trump said. “We, the United States, will not be having any payment made. We’re not buying it, but we will manufacture it, and they’re going to be paying for it.”
Trump allowing Ukraine to use Patriot missile systems is a pointed message to Moscow that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is now equipped with stronger firepower. The president distanced himself from the war, blaming President Joe Biden and the Democrats for its continuation where he’s goal is to end it.
“This is a Biden war,” Trump said. “This is a Democrat, not a Republican or Trump war.”
Reflecting on his strained interactions with Putin, Trump noted the Russian president often sounded conciliatory on the phone — only for Russian missiles to strike Ukraine shortly after.
“I always hang up and say, ‘Well, that was a nice phone call.’ And then missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city. Strange,” he said.
Trump admitted that his confidence in Putin had begun to erode.
“And after that happens three or four times, you say, the talk doesn’t mean anything,” he said. “I don’t want to say he’s an assassin… but he’s a tough guy,” Trump said, aligning himself more closely with Biden’s rhetoric on the Russian leader.
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