U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed deep disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin and announced his intention to shorten the 50-day ultimatum he had previously set for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
“We could have made an agreement five times already,” Trump said during a press briefing. “I’ve had many talks with President Putin, and they went very well each time. But then he launches missiles into cities like Kyiv, killing people in nursing homes, leaving bodies in the streets. That’s not how it should be done. I’m very disappointed. We’re reviewing the situation, and I’ll be reducing the 50 days I gave him to a shorter period because I think I already know how this will end.”
Earlier, Trump warned that if no settlement is reached within 50 days, the U.S. would impose 100% tariffs and secondary sanctions on Russia. White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt confirmed that sanctions would also target countries purchasing Russian oil, aiming to deal a severe economic blow to Moscow.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant emphasized that European allies should align with any secondary tariffs imposed by the U.S., while Energy Secretary Chris Wright underscored that sanctions on Russian oil remain a potent tool to pressure the Kremlin over its ongoing military operations in Ukraine.
More recently, Trump suggested these punitive measures could be implemented sooner than planned. When asked about the timing of secondary sanctions, he responded, “We’re looking at the whole situation. We may have to impose secondary sanctions on them.” Asked if this could happen earlier than the original 50-day deadline, he replied, “Maybe, yes.”
