U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Russia, threatening to impose 100% secondary tariffs if the war in Ukraine does not come to an end within the next 50 days. The remarks came during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House, where Trump expressed deep frustration with Moscow’s stance on peace negotiations.
“We are very unhappy — I am — with Russia. I’m disappointed in President Putin,” Trump said, referring to the stalled efforts to reach a settlement. “If we don’t have a deal in 50 days, we’re going to impose very severe tariffs — about 100%, secondary tariffs. They will be biting and very powerful.”
Secondary tariffs are trade penalties applied not just to the target nation but to third-party countries that continue doing business with it. Trump’s renewed push for this tactic reflects his growing discontent with Russia’s conduct and the broader geopolitical implications of the conflict.
Massive NATO Weapons Deal for Ukraine
In a significant development, Trump also announced that billions of dollars’ worth of U.S.-made weapons will be sent to Ukraine through a coordinated NATO deal. Participating nations include Germany, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada.
“They are really enthusiastic about this,” Trump said. “It’s a full complement, including Patriot missile systems. One country has 17 Patriots ready to be shipped.”
NATO allies will purchase the weapons from U.S. manufacturers, and the systems will be rapidly delivered to Ukrainian forces. According to Rutte, this is just “the first wave” of support, with further shipments expected to follow.
Importance of Patriot Systems
Patriot interceptor missiles, manufactured in the U.S., are a critical component of Ukraine’s air defense, especially in countering Russian ballistic missiles and Iranian-designed suicide drones. With Ukraine facing a shortage of air defense equipment and Russia intensifying its aerial bombardments, the delivery of these systems is considered urgent.
Ukraine’s current interception success rate is around 70%, but missiles and drones continue to strike civilian and military targets, often overwhelming existing defenses.
Humanitarian Toll Continues to Rise
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported that June 2025 marked the deadliest month in three years, with 232 civilians killed and 1,343 injured due to ongoing Russian attacks.
Trump’s remarks and the new arms deal underscore Washington’s escalating pressure on Moscow, blending military support for Ukraine with aggressive economic tactics. Whether these moves will push Putin back to the negotiating table remains to be seen.
