Trump’s response to the question has shocked people.
Tensions are rising once again on the world stage as new warnings emerge from Washington.
The ongoing war explained.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, triggering international outrage and sweeping sanctions.
Ukraine, outgunned but determined, has managed to hold off Russian advances with NATO-supplied weaponry and fierce resistance.
The U.S. has funneled billions into the conflict, largely through weapons deals and logistical support via NATO.
Despite numerous attempts at ceasefire talks, missile strikes and drone attacks have continued, devastating cities and infrastructure.
Trump claimed he’s spoken to Putin “a lot” in hopes of reaching peace — but said he’s been repeatedly misled.
“I always hang up thinking, ‘Well, that was a nice call,’ and then missiles launch into Kyiv,” Trump said.
“After that happens three or four times, you realize talk doesn’t mean anything.”
The war in Ukraine is now over three years old, and peace remains nowhere in sight.
Trump expressed outrage at Russia’s ongoing attacks on civilians.
“They’re bombing cities, hundreds of drones a day,” he said. “There’s no military reason for it — just terror.”
He described entire electric grids being “wiped out,” and said it would take Ukraine “years to rebuild.”
As a result, the Trump administration is now openly preparing more aggressive financial pressure.
Trump’s 50-day ultimatum revealed.
President Donald Trump dropped a bombshell Monday, warning Russia that the U.S. could slap crippling secondary sanctions if peace isn’t reached with Ukraine by September 2.
Speaking from the Oval Office beside NATO’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump made his frustration crystal clear: “I’m very unhappy” with Vladimir Putin.
The president pledged “very severe tariffs” on Moscow if the conflict drags on beyond 50 days.
“I’m disappointed in President Putin,” Trump said, “I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn’t seem to get there.”
He warned that if no deal materializes, tariffs could hit 100 percent — a crushing blow meant to escalate economic pressure on Russia.
It’s a powerful threat, but Trump insisted he’d rather not have to use it.
“I hope we don’t get to the point where we do,” he said. “But it’s all talk. And then missiles go into Kyiv.”
In the same breath that he threatened sanctions, Trump unveiled a fresh move to support Ukraine militarily.
But this time, the U.S. isn’t footing the bill alone — NATO is buying the weapons.
Under a coordinated deal, NATO countries will purchase U.S. weapons and transfer them directly to Ukraine.
“Billions of dollars’ worth of equipment will be quickly distributed to the battlefield,” Trump said.
Trump’s warning analyzed.
However, experts note that direct trade between the U.S. and Russia is minimal due to sanctions imposed during the Biden administration.
What Trump actually means are secondary sanctions targeting countries buying Russian oil, such as China, India, and Germany.
These measures would impose import taxes up to 100% on those nations, potentially doubling costs and rattling global markets.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that Trump’s plan focuses on these secondary sanctions rather than direct tariffs on Russian goods.
“If I catch you doing it, then you’ll have to pay,” Lutnick said, confirming the U.S. will enforce strict penalties on countries purchasing Russian petroleum.
Clock is ticking on Trump’s sanctions deadline.
A new Senate proposal seeks to go even further, proposing a 500% penalty rate on buyers of Russian oil.
Following a meeting with NATO’s Secretary General, Trump spoke to BBC reporter Gary O’Donoghue.
When he was asked if he trusted Putin, he replied: “I trust almost nobody to be honest with you.”