**US President Trump Threatens Severe Tariffs on Russia if Ukraine Deal Not Reached**
In a shocking move, US President Donald Trump has announced that severe tariffs will be imposed on Russia unless it agrees to a deal on ending the war in Ukraine within 50 days. The threat comes as tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate.
Speaking at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump stated: “We’re gonna be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days. Tariffs that are about 100%, we call them secondary tariffs.” This means that any imports from Russia could face significant trade restrictions unless a resolution is reached.
Trump’s comments come as the US president has increasingly distanced himself from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, saying: “It wasn’t my war. It was (former US President Joe) Biden’s war. It’s not my war. I’m trying to get you out of it.” Despite this, Trump emphasized that he wants to see an end to the conflict and expressed disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin for not having reached a deal sooner.
**Criticism from Some, Praise from Others**
The proposed tariffs have been met with criticism from some quarters, as they fall short of the 500% tariff on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil and raw materials proposed by a bipartisan US Senate bill. However, others see this move as a step in the right direction.
**NATO’s New Scheme to Support Ukraine**
Trump also unveiled a scheme under which NATO will purchase advanced arms from the US, including air defenses, and deliver some of them to Ukraine. The plan is fully paid and coordinated by the alliance, Trump stressed. This development has been welcomed by many as a significant boost to Ukraine’s military capabilities in its fight against Russia.
The kyiv independent spoke with Martin Fornusek, news editor at our publication, about the implications of this announcement: “While it’s good that NATO is stepping up its support for Ukraine, I think we need to be cautious about the specifics of this deal. The proposed tariffs may not be enough to bring Russia to the negotiating table.”
The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with ongoing fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Any resolution will require a concerted effort from all parties involved.
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