Trump issues ultimatum to Putin: ‘Peace in 50 days or 100% tariffs’

Patriot missiles immediately to Kiev, paid for by European allies. US president promises ‘devastating’ measures if Moscow does not sit down at the table

Washington – Donald Trump dictates a new line on Ukraine and issues an ultimatum to Vladimir Putin: fifty days to reach a peace agreement, otherwise secondary tariffs of 100% will be imposed, which will hit the Russian economy and its trading partners hard. The message was delivered during a meeting at the White House with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

‘We will apply very severe tariffs if we do not have an agreement within 50 days. These will be secondary tariffs, to indirectly hit Russia and reduce its ability to circumvent sanctions,“ said the US president, expressing ‘deep disappointment” with the Kremlin leader: ‘I thought we would have had an agreement two months ago. But there are only words, then missiles arrive in Kiev and kill 60 people. This must end.”

Weapons immediately to Kiev: ‘The Patriots will arrive within a few days’
During the meeting, Trump also announced a new military aid package, which includes complete Patriot missile batteries, financed entirely by European NATO countries. ‘We don’t buy, we manufacture,’ he emphasised, ‘and they will pay. We have the best equipment in the world, and it will be delivered quickly.’

Deliveries will begin within a few days, Trump himself confirmed, speaking of ‘a very important agreement with NATO.’ Rutte called the agreement ‘crucial’ and issued a warning to Moscow: ‘If I were Putin, I would take the negotiations much more seriously from today.’

Kallas: ‘50 days is too long.’ Zelensky thanks Trump
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas expressed appreciation for the American initiative but stressed that ‘fifty days is a long time when innocent civilians are dying every day.’

For his part, Volodymyr Zelensky had a telephone conversation with Trump, thanking him for his ‘willingness to support Ukraine.’ ‘It is important that we have such a good relationship,’ he said, ‘and that we work to stop the killings and achieve a just peace.’ The Ukrainian president added that the two sides had agreed to maintain constant contact and to ‘coordinate future steps’.

New pressure on Moscow
The threat of 100% secondary tariffs differs from the bipartisan sanctions package proposed by more than 80 senators, which provides for tariffs of up to 500% for countries that purchase Russian oil and uranium. Trump welcomed the proposal but pointed out: ‘I already have these powers.’

The move marks an escalation in the American strategy towards Moscow: extreme economic pressure, accompanied by a massive shipment of weapons. But, as Trump reiterated, the real goal remains peace. ‘I hope we won’t get to the point where we have to do it, but after three or four broken promises, talking no longer means anything,’ he concluded.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)