From 'savvy' Putin to secondary sanctions: How Trump's relations with Russia have changed
India became one of the first nations to experience secondary sanctions from Trump on Wednesday. The US President announced that India would be facing a 25% tariff on its imports to the United States, with an additional penalty for buying energy and arms from Russia. The exact quantum of the penalty is unclear.
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Trump had once described President Vladimir V. Putin as 'savvy' and 'genius' for invading Ukraine, while bragging about his 'very, very good relationship' with the autocratic Russian leader.
Trump appeared ready to distance himself from negotiations altogether and said it would be up to Russia and Ukraine to stop the fighting despite being enthusiastic about cracking a deal in early months of his second-term as a president.
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With rising frustrations, Trump's latest threat— and shortened timeline for Putin to comply — highlights his growing frustration with the Russian leader. 'I'm not so interested in talking any more,' Trump said on Monday. 'He talks. We have such nice conversations, such respectful and nice conversations, and then people die the following night — with a missile going into a town.'
Trump returned to office vowing to quickly end Russia's war in Ukraine, citing his relationship with Putin. Those efforts have failed to materialize, with Moscow only responding with maximalist demands for Ukrainian territory and declining calls for face-to-face talks between Putin and his counterpart, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Trump initially focused his ire on Zelensky as an obstacle to peace, but in recent weeks has signaled growing impatience with Putin, accusing him of not being sincere about wanting to end the war despite multiple calls and months of diplomacy.
Six phone calls between Trump and Putin, however, have failed to bring progress and Russia has ramped up its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, hammering civilians in cities — an indication that Moscow has no intention of ending its invasion.
'I haven't had any response. It's a shame,' Trump said about the reaction from Moscow to his new deadline.
Secondary sanctions on India, others
Trump's threat on countries with 'secondary sanctions' for buying oil from Russia is already becoming a reality with India being slapped with a penalty by the US. The Washington and other capitals allied with Ukraine view such oil purchases as a form of tacit support for Russia, helping to bolster its economy and undercut sanctions.
Trump said on Tuesday that he would start imposing measures on Russia, such as secondary tariffs of 100% on trading partners, if it did not make progress on ending the war within 10 to 12 days — moving up from an earlier 50-day deadline.
The United States also warned China, the largest buyer of Russian oil, that it could face huge tariffs if it kept buying, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told a news conference in Stockholm.
The US president on July 14 initially announced a 50-day deadline on Russia — which would have fallen on Sept. 2. The new deadline would fall on Aug. 8. 'We're going to put on tariffs and stuff, and I don't know if it's going to affect Russia, because he wants to, obviously, probably keep the war going,' Trump said on Tuesday.
Oil extended gains above $69 after Trump reiterated his threat for additional tariffs on Russia. West Texas Intermediate oil posted its biggest jump since June, when Israel carried out airstrikes on Iran. Bullish options on the Brent crude benchmark commanded a premium to bearish options for the first time in two weeks.
Trump earlier this month said he would impose 100% tariffs on Russia if it did not comply with his calls for a truce. His advisers have cast the penalties as likely taking the form of secondary levies that would hit countries that buy Russian exports such as oil. Washington and other capitals allied with Kyiv view such oil purchases as a form of tacit support for Russia, helping to bolster its economy and undercut sanctions.
The Kremlin on Tuesday said it 'took note' of Trump's threat to curtail the deadline but made clear that it was unlikely Putin would change course. Trump has voiced mounting frustration with Putin for refusing to agree to a halt to fighting that could allow for peace talks. The US president returned to office with a pledge to quickly end the war that is now in its fourth year.
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