U.S. President Donald Trump has once again threatened Russia, warning that if no progress is made within two weeks toward a peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine, he will impose heavy tariffs on the country.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said, “I will decide what we will do, and it will be a major decision—whether we impose broad sanctions, heavy tariffs, both, or do nothing and say: ‘this is your war.’”
He also expressed dissatisfaction over Russia’s recent attack on an American-owned factory in Ukraine, which caused a fire and injured several workers. “I’m not happy with anything related to that war,” he said.
On the diplomatic front, Trump revealed that he has begun preparing for a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy, during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Kyiv, accused Moscow of trying to obstruct such a meeting, calling Russia’s actions “deliberate stalling.”
Zelenskyy has repeatedly called for direct talks with Putin, saying such a meeting is the only viable path to ending the war.
In contrast, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that there is no concrete agenda for a potential summit and that “Putin will be ready to meet with Zelenskyy only when a clear agenda is prepared.”
Putin himself has said that Trump’s leadership qualities could help improve relations between Russia and the United States.
