Donald Trump issues 50-day warning to Russia: End Ukraine war or face 100% tariffs on allies, Kremlin fires back
'I thought we would have had a deal two months ago,' Trump said, expressing disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin and a lack of progress on peace talks. The US president has long floated the idea of secondary sanctions to isolate Moscow economically and now appears set to act if his demands are not met.
Russia says it's open to talks, but not under pressure
Responding to Trump's remarks, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated on Tuesday that Moscow is willing to negotiate. However, he added that Russia 'did not warm to ultimatums,' making it clear that the Kremlin has no intention of yielding to external threats. While there has been no formal response to the 50-day deadline, Ryabkov's comments indicate a reluctance to engage in talks under coercion.
The Kremlin's position comes at a time when Russia has stepped up aerial attacks on Ukraine, with drone and missile strikes targeting civilian and military infrastructure. UN data shows that June 2025 witnessed the highest number of civilian casualties in three years, with 232 deaths and 1,343 injuries.
NATO announces arms deal to strengthen Ukraine's defence
Alongside the tariff warning, Trump confirmed that a significant NATO weapons deal has been finalised to support Ukraine's defence. The agreement includes deliveries of US-manufactured Patriot missile systems—currently the only systems Ukraine has that can intercept Russian ballistic missiles.
According to NATO chief Rutte, several countries—Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada—are participating in the agreement. 'Speed is of the essence here,' he said, stressing the urgency in delivering equipment to the battlefield.
Trump added that 'billions of dollars' worth' of military supplies would be purchased by NATO allies and distributed swiftly. He also mentioned that 'one country has 17 Patriot systems getting ready to be shipped,' and confirmed that Norway will contribute missile batteries. Rutte also noted that the deal is being designed to accommodate the stockpile needs of the US military.
Ukraine's defences are under pressure amid growing attacks
The latest phase of Russia's aerial campaign has heavily strained Ukraine's air defence capabilities. Despite a 70% interception rate, the high frequency of strikes has allowed multiple drones and missiles to reach their targets.
According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Russia launched ten times more drones and missiles in June 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. The sharp escalation has led to significant destruction and civilian harm, increasing pressure on NATO and the US to expedite arms deliveries.
Trump has cited examples like India-Pakistan and Rwanda–DR Congo to argue that trade pressure can help end wars. 'We've been very successful in settling wars with trade,' he said.
With 50 days on the clock, Trump's tariff ultimatum introduces a new phase of international pressure. But with Russia rejecting threats and violence escalating on the ground, the road to any resolution remains uncertain.
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