President warns Russia to agree to ceasefire or face 100% trade penalties as US ramps up support for Ukraine.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has given Russian President Vladimir Putin a 50-day deadline to halt the war in Ukraine or face sweeping U.S. trade penalties. Speaking after a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office, Trump announced that the United States will send advanced weapons to Ukraine in a new NATO-backed operation.
“I’m very, very unhappy with him,” Trump said of Putin in a phone interview with the press. “I’m disappointed in him, but I’m not done with him.”
Trump confirmed that the U.S. will provide Patriot missile systems and other high-grade weapons, but the financial cost will be covered by NATO member states. “We’re not paying for it,” Trump said. “They’re paying. I made that very clear.”
The president also warned of what he called “100% secondary tariffs” on countries that continue doing business with Russia if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire deal by early September. These tariffs would sharply raise the cost of exporting goods to the U.S. for any nation trading with Russia.
“If there’s no deal, every nation trading with them will face the same tariffs,” Trump said.
Trump’s stance represents a significant shift from his earlier positions. He previously called NATO “obsolete” but now says the alliance is “the opposite of that” because its members are covering their financial responsibilities.
He affirmed support for NATO’s collective defense principle, saying smaller countries must have the means to protect themselves from larger aggressors.
The new plan comes as Ukraine’s military faces growing pressure from Russian airstrikes. On July 14, Ukrainian forces reported intercepting 108 of 136 drones launched by Russia overnight. At least six civilians died in the attacks. President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held “productive” talks with U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg to discuss strengthening air defense and defense production partnerships with Europe.
Zelensky has submitted a bill to extend martial law and mandatory conscription through November 5.
The Kremlin has continued to insist that the conflict stems from what it calls external threats posed by NATO and the West. Putin claims Russia is open to peace but maintains that the “root causes” must be addressed before any settlement.
Following Trump’s remarks, Russia’s stock market rallied. According to analysts cited by state agency TASS, the market had anticipated a more aggressive American response. One analyst called the measures “softer than expected,” noting that prices had dropped earlier due to “false pessimistic expectations.”
Despite sanctions from the U.S. and EU, Russia continues to earn over $300 billion annually from fossil fuel exports. Roughly one-third of that revenue still comes from NATO countries. Oil and gas alone account for more than 60% of Russia’s export income and nearly a third of government revenue.
Trump’s proposed secondary tariffs aim to reduce this income by targeting countries that help sustain Russia’s economy. However, enforcement may be difficult. Russia is known to use a “shadow fleet” of tankers to conceal oil origins and bypass restrictions.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen described Trump’s decision as “overdue but welcome.” She warned, however, that supplying weapons alone would not be enough to push Putin into serious negotiations. She called for Congress to pass a sanctions bill that would stay in effect until Russia stops its attacks and agrees to diplomatic talks.
“This move is a positive, but overdue, step for Ukraine and our shared goal of a just and durable peace,” she said in a statement.
In his media interview, Trump was also asked about surviving the 2024 assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. “I don’t like to think about if it did change me,” he said. “Dwelling on it could be life-changing.”
Asked about Britain’s role in the world, Trump said he has a “special bond” with the United Kingdom. He praised Prime Minister Keir Starmer, despite their ideological differences, and looked forward to his second state visit to the UK this September.
“I really like the prime minister a lot, even though he is a liberal,” Trump said. He added that he would not want Parliament recalled during recess just for a speech. “Let them go and have a good time.”
Trump concluded the interview by stating his goal as president is clear: “Saving America,” he said. “I think America is now a great country and it was a dead country one year ago.”
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, the conflict has killed thousands and displaced millions. U.S.-Russia trade has collapsed, falling from over $36 billion annually to less than 10% of that value. While Russia continues to export key materials like fertilizers, chemicals, and nuclear goods, Trump’s new tariff proposal could make those imports far more expensive for American buyers.
The White House clarified that Trump’s proposed tariffs would apply not just to Russia but to any country that supports or sustains its economy through trade. The administration is working to finalize the specifics of enforcement as the 50-day countdown begins.
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