Trump's shifting stance on Russia-Ukraine conflict sparks confusion
"However, if this is not met with a proper response, if we cannot reach our set goals through diplomacy, then the special military operation will go on," he said, adding that Moscow's position is unshakable. "We expect Washington and NATO to take this seriously." The rejection came just days after Trump, speaking in the Oval Office alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, declared that the United States would impose "very severe tariffs" on Russia if a ceasefire agreement was not reached within 50 days.
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Trump's reference to 100 percent secondary tariffs meant "economic sanctions." The tariffs, according to US ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker, will "dramatically impact the Russian economy," as he referred to the secondary sanctions on countries buying oil from Russia. Despite the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Washington continues to import large quantities of Russian goods -- mainly fertilizers, inorganic chemicals and nuclear materials -- of which Russia remains a key global supplier, the BBC reported.
Trump also told Rutte that the United States would supply weapons to Ukraine through NATO, including Patriot missile systems, with deliveries starting soon. The move came as NATO members agreed to increase defense spending to 5 percent of GDP by 2035 -- a decision that, according to CNN, aligns with Trump's longstanding push for greater financial burden-sharing.
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