WASHINGTON D.C. – July 15, 2025 –
In an astonishing escalation of his administration’s approach to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has issued a stern ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin threatening him by saying :
“ secure a peace deal within 50 days or face “very severe” tariffs, potentially reaching 100%. “
The threat, made during a recent phone call between the two leaders, also included a direct warning to China regarding its continued purchase of Russian oil.The phone call, which took place on July 3, 2025, and was described by a Kremlin aide as discussing a “negotiated end” to the war, appears to have yielded little in terms of immediate breakthroughs.
However, President Trump’s subsequent public statements, notably during an Oval Office meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on July 14, revealed the new, aggressive timeline and the nature of the economic pressure he intends to exert.
According to the White House, President Trump expressed his “extreme dissatisfaction” with the lack of progress in peace negotiations and Russia’s continued military actions in Ukraine.
He explicitly stated that if a comprehensive peace agreement is not reached within 50 days, the United States will impose “very severe tariffs” on Russia.
Furthermore, he outlined a plan for “secondary tariffs” of approximately 100% on countries that continue to engage in significant trade with Moscow, particularly those purchasing Russian oil.
This is widely seen as a direct challenge to China, which has remained a major buyer of Russian energy exports since the invasion of Ukraine began.
“We’re going to be doing very severe tariffs if we don’t have a deal in 50 days,” Trump declared.
“I use trade for a lot of things, but it’s great for settling wars.”
He elaborated that these secondary tariffs would be aimed at isolating Moscow in the global economy by targeting its trading partners.
The announcement marks a significant shift in President Trump’s rhetoric and policy regarding the Ukraine conflict. While he has previously expressed a desire to end the war quickly and has boasted of his relationship with Putin, his patience appears to have worn thin in the face of continued hostilities and stalled negotiations.
Sources close to the administration suggest that a relentless onslaught against civilian areas in Ukraine has contributed to President Trump’s exasperation.
This bold move also comes amidst renewed efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defenses. During his meeting with Secretary-General Rutte, President Trump announced a rejuvenated pipeline for American weapons to reach Ukraine, a plan that is expected to involve European allies footing a substantial portion of the bill for billions of dollars worth of U.S. military equipment.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, President Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on July 14, discussing strengthened air defenses and joint arms production.
The international community is now closely watching how Moscow and Beijing will respond to President Trump’s ultimatum. Analysts suggest that while the threat of such widespread tariffs is substantial, their implementation and effectiveness could face considerable challenges and potentially trigger a new wave of global economic instability.
The coming 50 days are set to be a crucial period in the ongoing war in Ukraine and the intricate geopolitical landscape.
