In a recent conversation with NBC News, President Donald Trump expressed his strong disapproval of Russian President Vladimir Putin's call for the removal of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from office.
Trump's remarks came in response to Putin's comments made on the sidelines of the International Arctic Forum in Murmansk, Russia.
According to the Daily Caller, Putin had suggested the establishment of a transitional administration in Ukraine under the auspices of the United Nations. This, he argued, could facilitate negotiations with the West. However, Trump was quick to criticize Putin's remarks, stating they were "not going in the right location." He warned that Russia could face secondary tariffs if the situation in Ukraine did not improve.
Trump was quoted as saying, "If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russias fault which it might not be but if I think it was Russias fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia." He further explained that these tariffs would mean that any business buying oil from Russia would be unable to operate in the United States. He proposed a 25% tariff on all oil, potentially rising to 50%.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration has reported a significant drop in Russian oil imports into the U.S., from over 245 million barrels in 2021 to just 10,000 barrels in 2023. This decline underscores the potential impact of Trump's proposed tariffs.
Putin, who has been in power in Russia since the turn of the century, argued that a transitional government in Ukraine was necessary to organize a democratic presidential election. He suggested that this could lead to the establishment of a competent government that would have the confidence of the people and could negotiate a peace agreement.
Ukraine has been under martial law since Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022. Zelenskyy's domestic challengers have agreed to suspend elections until after the war, as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Trump, however, has previously criticized Zelenskyy, labeling him "a dictator with no elections" in February 2025. This criticism came after Zelenskyy accused Trump of being influenced by Russian disinformation. The dispute escalated when Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Zelenskyy publicly clashed at the Oval Office in Washington, leading to a temporary halt in U.S. military aid to Ukraine.
Despite these tensions, the Trump administration continued its efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. On March 25, a limited ceasefire was announced, aimed at ensuring safety along the Black Sea shipping route and preventing long-range strikes on energy infrastructure, as reported by The Associated Press. This move reflects the ongoing complexities of the situation in Ukraine and the international efforts to bring about a resolution.
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