Trump Threatens Tariffs on Russian Oil Over Ukraine Ceasefire Delay
PHOTO CNN/ CNN/Getty Images
Moscow, March 31 – The Kremlin announced on Monday that Russia and the United States are discussing a potential peace agreement, while U.S. President Donald Trump expressed strong displeasure toward Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump revealed that he is “very angry” with Putin for questioning the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In response, he threatened to impose secondary tariffs ranging from 25% to 50% on countries purchasing Russian oil if Moscow does not commit to a ceasefire.
Diplomatic Efforts Amid Rising Tensions
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Moscow remains in talks with Washington and emphasized efforts to mend relations that deteriorated under the previous U.S. administration. While he declined to provide details, he clarified that discussions on resolving the Ukraine conflict are ongoing.
Trump’s stern response reflects his commitment to positioning himself as a peace broker. He underscored the need for a ceasefire and warned that Russia could face severe economic consequences if no progress is made.
Potential Tariffs and Global Impact
The tariffs proposed by Trump would target any country that purchases Russian oil, potentially affecting major importers such as China and India, which collectively buy nearly 80% of Russia’s crude exports. The U.S. president announced that entities trading in Russia’s oil sector could be barred from American markets.
Financial analysts believe such tariff threats could destabilize global oil markets. While oil prices remained steady on Monday, market participants are closely monitoring potential repercussions. Chinese traders have shown no concern over the threats, while Beijing reiterated that its trade with Russia remains independent of external pressures. India has yet to comment on the matter.
Ukraine Ceasefire and Rare Mineral Negotiations
Putin’s rejection of Zelensky’s legitimacy has intensified Trump’s frustration and complicated ceasefire negotiations. Trump warned that any attempt to remove Zelensky would only prolong the conflict. Meanwhile, Finnish President Alexander Stubb revealed after a recent meeting with Trump that he believes the U.S. leader is the only one capable of facilitating peace talks, as Putin is influenced by him.
Alongside ceasefire discussions, Russia and the U.S. have initiated talks on rare mineral projects. Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev indicated that preliminary discussions have taken place, with American companies expressing interest in the collaboration.
Trump previously linked U.S. military aid to Ukraine with a mineral deal, allowing American access to Ukraine’s rare mineral resources. However, reports suggest Kyiv is hesitant to finalize the agreement without long-term security guarantees from Washington.
Military Activities and Ongoing Attacks
Despite diplomatic efforts, military conflict persists. Russian airstrikes targeted the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv for a second consecutive night, while Moscow accused Ukrainian forces of launching drone and artillery attacks on energy sites in Russia’s Bryansk region.
Meanwhile, European allies continue to provide military support to Ukraine. Sweden and the Netherlands have announced new security and aid packages aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Conclusion Trump’s recent remarks signal a significant shift in his stance toward Russia, highlighting his growing frustration over slow progress in Ukraine peace talks. It remains uncertain whether his economic sanctions threats will accelerate the ceasefire process, but they have undoubtedly escalated geopolitical tensions. The coming weeks will determine whether diplomatic efforts can prevail over military conflict.
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