Trump expresses fury over Putin's comments on Zelenskyy, warns of oil tariffs

US President Donald Trump expressed his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating that if he believes Russia is to blame for the failure to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine, he would impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil.

Trump, who was visibly upset, said, "I’m very angry," and described himself as "pissed off" over Putin's recent remarks, which questioned the credibility of Zelenskyy’s leadership. “Not going in the right location,” Trump added, indicating his dissatisfaction with the Russian leader’s comments, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Putin had called for a transitional government in Ukraine on March 29, which would effectively remove Zelenskyy from power. In response, Trump warned that if Russia and he are unable to reach a deal to stop the ongoing bloodshed in Ukraine, and if he holds Russia responsible for the lack of a ceasefire, he would impose harsh economic measures on Russian oil exports.

“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 — which it might not be — but if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia,” Trump declared during the early-morning call.

Trump elaborated on his stance, saying, “That would be that if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States.” He warned that a "25 per cent tariff on all oil" or "a 25- to 50-point tariff on all oil" could be imposed if Russia is deemed responsible for the failure to negotiate a ceasefire.

Trump’s comments come after he had previously criticized Zelenskyy’s handling of the war, even calling him a “dictator.” Former President Joe Biden had already implemented a ban on Russian oil imports following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which caused a sharp decline in Russian oil imports to the United States. According to the US Energy Information Administration, only 10,000 barrels of Russian crude oil and petroleum products were imported into the US in 2023.

Trump had previously announced similar “secondary tariffs” on Venezuela, stating in a post to Truth Social that countries purchasing oil and gas from Venezuela would face penalties. This move mirrors the approach Trump suggests he would take with Russian oil.

Top importers of Russian oil include China, Türkiye, Brazil, and India, according to an analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. If Trump were to apply the same definition of secondary tariffs as he did with Venezuela, these countries could be impacted by tariffs on Russian oil.

Trump has made ending the war in Ukraine a central foreign policy goal, which has led to meetings between US, Ukrainian, and Russian officials during the early months of his second term. Last week, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a limited and partial ceasefire that would facilitate safe navigation in the Black Sea and pause attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure.

By Vafa Guliyeva