President Donald Trump declared he was “very angry, pissed off” at Russian President Vladimir Putin over Moscow’s reluctance to agree to a lasting cease-fire. threatened to impose significant new tariffs on Russian oil.
The president spoke by phone with NBC’s Kristen Welker on Sunday, revealing his growing frustration with Moscow and threatening to impose new tariffs on Russian oil.
Trump has until now avoided directly chastising Putin, previously describing him as a “genius” and “savvy.” However, the Sunday call underscored Trump’s readiness to punish Russia if it continues its military operations.
“If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault,” Trump said, “then I would impose secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia.”
He further explained that these tariffs would target any country purchasing Russian oil, effectively barring those nations from doing business with the United States.
Trump floated a “25 to 50 point tariff on all oil” if there is no progress within a month.
Dispute Over Zelensky’s Leadership
Much of Trump’s anger stems from reports that Putin has questioned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership and has suggested Ukraine’s generals remove him from power.
President Trump, who has previously tangled with Zelensky over their differing political views and faced criticism for praising Putin, stood by Ukraine’s elected leader this time:
“I was very angry, pissed off” over the Russian president’s remarks, Trump told NBC, adding that Putin’s latest demands were “not going in the right location.”
The U.S. has pushed for a swift end to the war—now stretching well over three years—with Trump viewing a peace deal as key to honoring his campaign pledge to bring stability to the region.
Yet the conflict drags on, with both sides failing to agree on cease-fire terms.
Putin’s Conditions and Broken Cease-Fires
Moscow has repeatedly stalled U.S. and Ukrainian efforts to halt the fighting, despite at least two recent tentative cease-fire agreements aimed at preventing attacks on vital infrastructure and trade routes in the Black Sea.
Within hours of each agreement, Russian forces reportedly resumed operations. Russia then issued additional conditions, including the removal of multiple economic sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies.
Putin, who has been in power for 25 years and won multiple elections with no real opposition, questioned Zelensky’s legitimacy after the Ukrainian president’s first five-year term ended in May 2024.
Under Ukrainian law, elections are suspended during periods of major military conflict, preventing a straightforward leadership transition or vote.
Despite his anger, President Trump insisted he still “has a very good relationship” with Putin, saying his hostility “dissipates quickly… if he does the right thing.”
He indicated he and Putin might speak again soon in a bid to break the stalemate.
Meanwhile, several U.S. and international figures, including Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, have urged the president to avoid an “illusory peace” that simply allows Russia time to regroup.
Defense officials in the Baltic states warned that if Russia halts fighting in Ukraine only temporarily, it could reallocate forces to threaten NATO members like Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
President Trump’s warning to impose secondary tariffs underscores the gravity of his stance: if Russia fails to negotiate in good faith, its oil exports could face steep penalties.
Such a measure would test America’s global influence, pressuring international buyers to shun Russian oil or risk being shut out of U.S. markets.