Relations between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin appear strained as the U.S. President expressed his discontent over the Russian leader’s remarks regarding Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In anticipation of Donald Trump’s potential return to the White House, he has asserted that he could rapidly resolve the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. However, developments are not progressing as swiftly as he had anticipated.
Since February 2014, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has persisted. Recently, a partial maritime ceasefire has been established between the two nations.
However, on Friday, March 28, Putin questioned Zelenskyy’s leadership and suggested that the United Nations (UN) should manage Ukraine with a temporary government administered by the U.S. and possibly some European countries—a proposal that did not sit well with Trump.
In an interview with NBC News, Trump expressed that he was ‘very angry’ and ‘p***ed’ off by Putin’s comments, indicating that they were not ‘going in the right direction’.
He elaborated: “If Russia and I cannot reach an agreement on halting the violence in Ukraine, and if it turns out to be Russia’s fault—which it may not be—I will impose secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil originating from Russia.
“This means if you purchase oil from Russia, you cannot do business in the United States. There will be a 25% tariff on all oil, a 25- to 50-point tariff on all oil.”
Trump mentioned that Putin is already aware of his displeasure but noted that he maintains ‘a very good relationship with him’ and that his ‘anger dissipates quickly… if he does the right thing’.
Later, while speaking to journalists aboard Air Force One, Trump clarified that he does not wish to ‘impose secondary tariffs on Russia’, expressing disappointment with Putin’s remarks because the Russian leader was expected to ‘negotiate a deal with him’, irrespective of his views on Zelenskyy.
He further stated: “So I wasn’t happy with that. But I think he’s going to be good.”
As reported by the BBC, the Kremlin has since responded, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggesting that Trump’s comments were ‘paraphrased’ rather than ‘direct quotes’.
Peskov also mentioned that efforts towards a peace agreement with Ukraine are ‘ongoing’ and that the Black Sea maritime ceasefire remains a ‘work in progress’.