In a high-stakes interview with NBC, U.S. President Donald Trump warned he would hit global oil markets with sweeping tariffs if Russia refuses to agree to a Ukraine ceasefire within the next month — signaling a dramatic escalation in economic pressure.
“If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault — which it might not be — but if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia,” Trump said.
He added:
“That would be that if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States. There will be a 25 percent tariff on all oil, a 25- to 50-point tariff on all oil.”
A Hard Line Amid Rising Tensions
Trump expressed frustration following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s demand that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy be replaced by a UN-backed transitional government.
“I’m very angry. I’m pissed off,” Trump said, reacting to the Kremlin’s ultimatum.
While the European Union has banned seaborne Russian oil since the invasion began, some nations — Hungary, Slovakia — continue buying through pipelines. Meanwhile, Turkey, China, and India have increased purchases, with Russian-refined fuel flowing back into Western markets under third-country labels.
Impact Could Be Global
Trump’s threat would target not just Russia, but any country trading in Russian oil — a move that could rattle energy markets and squeeze U.S. allies.
Pushback From Allies
The comments contrast sharply with recent signs that Washington might ease sanctions in exchange for peace. European leaders have reacted angrily to the idea of reintroducing Russian oil flows without a full and lasting resolution to the war.
Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio downplayed expectations of any near-term peace deal:
“There’s a lot of work to be done. I think you have to make more progress on a technical level.”
Trump is drawing a red line: no ceasefire, no trade — and not just with Russia, but anyone who deals with them. If enforced, this policy could reshape global oil flows and throw energy markets into uncharted territory.
Related:
Elon Musk’s xAI buys his social media platform X
Trump was supposed to unlock IPO market, but CoreWeave debut reflects ongoing skepticism
Nothing is black and white in the AI world
These Cars May Be More Expensive Under Trump’s Auto Tariffs
What Analysts Think of Tesla Stock Amid Tariff Tensions, Global Pressures, and Elon’s New Warning
Trump’s Auto Tariffs: Here’s How Every Major Carmaker Could Be Affected
Tariff Updates: Trump threatens ‘far larger’ tariffs
Here Are Attack Plans That Trump’s Advisers Shared on Signal
Nvidia’s China sales face threat from Beijing’s environmental curbs
Auto Stocks Fluctuate Amid Anticipation of New Trump Tariffs
