President Trump said the U.S. would impose “severe” tariffs on Russia if Moscow did not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine in the next 50 days.
“We’re very, very unhappy with [Russia], and we’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in about 50 days,” Trump said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office.
Trump indicated he would impose a 100 percent “secondary” tariff, which would target other nations that do business with Russia.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 after amassing troops at the border. Trump campaigned on a pledge to end the war within 24 hours, a timeframe he later claimed was “sarcastic.”
Trump has in recent weeks expressed increasing frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin as Moscow continues to fire missiles into Ukraine despite the White House’s push for a ceasefire.
“The only one we haven’t been able to get to yet is Russia. And I’m not happy. And I will tell you that Ukraine wants to do something,” Trump said, arguing the conflict has been one of the few he has not been able to help settle.
“It’s all talk and then missiles go into Kyiv and kill 60 people,” he added. “It’s got to stop. It’s got to stop.”
The president has faced growing pressure from some lawmakers in his own party to impose sanctions on Russia over its war effort in Ukraine, though Trump has been non-committal about whether he would sign a bill working its way through the Senate.
Trump on Monday also touted a deal with NATO to send weapons to Ukraine, with the military alliance bearing the brunt of the cost.
The president also raised doubt over whether he will support Senate Republicans moving forward on a sanctions bill against Russia that has a veto-proof number of supporters.
“I’m not sure we need it,” Trump said.
“It could be very useful, we’ll have to see,” Trump continued. He added that he is meeting today with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.). Thune said last week that he would look to put the Russia Sanctions bill on the floor this month. The bill has about 85 co-sponsors in the Senate.
Updated 11:41 a.m.
Laura Kelly contributed.
Read: Read More