Frustrated by Putin, Trump brandishes ultimate weapon – By Dr Harold Gunatillake
Trump has expressed frustration over Vladimir Putin’s refusal to reach a swift ceasefire in Ukraine.
In an interview with NBC News, the U.S. president, who had pledged during his campaign to end the war quickly, threatened to impose tariffs of 25% to 50% on countries that purchase Russian oil.
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“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 explained.
“That would mean that if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States. There will be a 25% tariff on all oil, and a 25 to 50-point tariff on all oil,” he added.
Trump’s shift in tone comes as Putin questions the legitimacy of Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose presidential term was set to end last year.
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Trump argued against a leadership change in Ukraine, warning that it would delay peace efforts even further.
(QG – Source: The Guardian – Picture: © Unsplash)
