In a marked departure from his historically ambivalent stance toward Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed unusually forceful condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating he was “very angry, pissed off” over Putin’s remarks questioning the credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This sharp rhetoric, delivered in a televised NBC interview, signaled a volatile shift in Trump’s posture toward Moscow amid the ongoing three-year war in Ukraine and mounting criticism of American passivity.
Trump’s frustration centered on what he interpreted as a destabilizing attack on Ukraine’s political legitimacy. While preserving rhetorical ambiguity—saying Russia might not be to blame—he issued a dramatic economic threat: if he deems Russia responsible for continued bloodshed, he would impose sweeping “secondary tariffs” on Russian oil. These would not only target Russia directly but also penalize any nation buying Russian oil by barring them from U.S. markets. Trump proposed tariffs between 25% and 50% on all Russian oil exports, a maximalist economic move designed to pressure Moscow and reshape global energy dynamics.
The announcement came as reports emerged of intensified Russian attacks on Kharkiv, including drone strikes on hospitals, shopping centers, and residential areas, leading to civilian casualties. These events further complicated peace efforts and heightened calls for stronger Western responses. Trump warned that Putin’s suggestions for “new leadership” in Ukraine would delay peace indefinitely, clearly rejecting Russian preconditions for negotiations and framing himself as a peacemaker undermined by Kremlin interference.
Despite this confrontational tone, Trump emphasized his ongoing communication with Putin, claiming they had spoken “not long ago” and reaffirming a “very good relationship.” This juxtaposition—threatening severe sanctions while praising personal rapport—illustrated Trump’s diplomatic duality, leveraging both familiarity and coercion.
Trump’s remarks also extended to Iran, where he issued an ultimatum: if Tehran failed to reach a deal on its nuclear program, “there will be bombing.” He again invoked secondary tariffs as a punitive mechanism, reinforcing his administration’s reliance on economic pressure and military threats to shape foreign relations.
These comments, reported by Edward Helmore and agencies on March 30, 2025, show Trump’s broader strategy: volatile rhetoric, strategic ambiguity, and hardline posturing. While some praise this as assertive leadership, critics argue it risks undermining global stability and diminishing diplomatic credibility. By threatening extraterritorial sanctions on countries like China and India, Trump signaled an expansive interpretation of American power that could provoke geopolitical backlash.
Trump’s statements reflect the entanglement of personal diplomacy, economic statecraft, and strategic rivalry. As the Ukraine war grinds on and tensions with Iran simmer, his unpredictable style continues to cast uncertainty over the future of U.S. foreign policy and the fragile balance of international order.
Gros News 
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