By Lilian Ntege
President Donald Trump has issued a stark ultimatum to Moscow, threatening to impose sweeping 100% tariffs on Russia’s trading partners if the Kremlin does not reach a peace agreement over its invasion of Ukraine within 50 days.
At the same time, Trump announced a significant new weapons package for Kyiv, signalling a tougher stance in his second term toward both Russia and the ongoing war.
Speaking alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte in Washington, Trump declared that the United States would supply Ukraine with what he described as “top-of-the-line weapons” valued in the billions of dollars.
These advanced arms are set to flow to the front lines swiftly, routed through NATO allies.
“We want to make sure Ukraine can do what it wants to do,” Trump told reporters after the meeting.
Rutte confirmed the plan, adding that European nations would foot the bill for the massive military support, which includes missiles, ammunition, and critical air defence systems.
Under the arrangement, European countries will transfer their own Patriot air defence systems to Ukraine to help defend against relentless Russian air strikes, with the United States pledging to replace the Europeans’ stockpiles.
“If I was Vladimir Putin today…I would reconsider whether I should not take negotiations about Ukraine more seriously,” Rutte warned, while Trump nodded in agreement.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed gratitude for the promised support, revealing on social media that he had spoken with Trump following the NATO discussions.
“We are ready to work as productively as possible to achieve peace,” Zelensky said, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger protection for Ukrainian civilians under daily attack.
But while military aid is surging, Trump’s economic threats have rattled global markets. He declared that unless Russia agrees to peace within 50 days, the U.S. will impose 100% secondary tariffs on any nation continuing to trade with Moscow.
The corrective measure means, for example, that U.S. businesses importing goods from India could face doubled costs if India keeps buying Russian oil effectively squeezing Russia’s export revenue and pressuring its allies.
Russia’s economy relies heavily on oil and gas, which account for more than 60% of exports and about a third of its government revenue.
Slashing Moscow’s earnings through secondary sanctions could deal a sharp blow to its war financing.
Nevertheless, the Moscow Stock Exchange rose following Trump’s statements, suggesting investors had braced for even harsher U.S. measures.
Back in Washington, Democrats cautiously welcomed Trump’s decision to send Patriot missiles, with Senator Jeanne Shaheen hailing the move as “positive, but overdue.”
She stressed that Ukraine needs consistent U.S. support to convince Putin that continuing the war is futile.
As the 50-day clock starts ticking, both military and diplomatic outcomes hang in the balance, leaving the world watching to see whether Trump’s threats and promises will bring the warring sides closer to the negotiating table.