President Donald Trump is making it clear that he won’t tolerate interference in the Ukraine peace process—not even from Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a recent interview, Trump said he was “pissed off” after Putin questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a move Trump said could derail ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the war.
“I was very angry—pissed off—when Putin started getting into Zelensky’s credibility and started talking about new leadership in Ukraine,” Trump said. “That’s not helpful at a time when we’re trying to stop the bloodshed.”
Trump’s Warning: Tariffs Coming If Russia Doesn’t Cooperate
Trump didn’t just express frustration—he issued a clear warning to Moscow. If Russia continues to stall or sabotage efforts to reach a ceasefire, Trump said the U.S. will impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil. These tariffs would hit not only Russia, but also any country buying oil from Russia, by threatening to cut off their access to U.S. markets.
“If you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States,” Trump said. “We’re not going to let foreign powers fund this war and expect access to our economy.”
The tariffs could range between 25% to 50%, aimed at drying up revenue for the Kremlin if diplomacy fails.
Zelensky Also Under Pressure
While Trump stood firm against Putin’s remarks, he didn’t spare criticism for Zelensky either. He pointed to recent reports that Zelensky is trying to renegotiate a rare earth mineral deal with the United States—something Trump says would be a grave mistake.
“If Zelensky backs out of that rare earth deal, he’s got problems—big problems,” Trump warned, alluding to potential consequences for Ukraine’s standing with the U.S.
Trump also expressed concerns over Ukraine’s push for NATO membership, calling it “unwise” while peace talks are still ongoing.
The Kremlin Responds
In response to Trump’s comments, Kremlin officials went into damage control. A spokesman for Putin said Russia remains committed to working with Washington on brokering a ceasefire and downplayed the President’s frustration.
Despite the posturing, tensions remain high as all sides scramble to avoid the collapse of hard-won diplomatic progress.
A Clear Message from Trump: Stay Focused or Face Consequences
Trump’s message is direct: the peace process must move forward, and any leader—whether it’s Putin or Zelensky—who derails it will face consequences. The Trump administration has made restoring stability in the region a top foreign policy priority, and the President is showing he’s willing to back that up with economic force if necessary.
“This war needs to end,” Trump said. “And I’m not going to let ego or politics stand in the way of peace.”