United States President Donald Trump has issued a direct warning to Russia, threatening to impose secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian crude if President Vladimir Putin fails to implement a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Speaking during a press briefing aboard Air Force One, Trump expressed frustration over recent remarks from President Putin, who questioned the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a negotiating partner.
Trump, describing himself as “very angry,” stated that Russia risks facing additional restrictions on its energy exports if hostilities continue.
While the U.S. already enforces sanctions on Russian energy, the introduction of secondary tariffs would target third-party countries importing Russian oil.
The U.S. president, however, hinted at flexibility, saying he “wouldn’t want to” resort to secondary tariffs but warned that continued aggression could leave no alternative.
“I’m disappointed with some of Putin’s recent statements,” Trump said. “He’s supposed to be working towards a deal. If that doesn’t happen, the consequences will be significant.”
Russia, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, has maintained elevated crude shipments despite existing restrictions with India and China serving as major buyers of discounted Russian barrels.
Analysts suggest that secondary sanctions could disrupt these flows and potentially intensify global supply concerns and inflationary pressures.
In a related development, Trump reiterated his stance on Ukraine’s obligations, cautioning President Zelensky against altering existing agreements concerning the country’s natural resources.
Trump described attempts to renegotiate a U.S.-Ukraine rare earth agreement as “problematic,” signaling that economic cooperation between both nations may be strained if Ukraine backs away.
“If Zelensky tries to withdraw from the rare earth deal, there will be consequences,” Trump remarked, highlighting the strategic importance of Ukraine’s mineral assets to the United States.
The president also commented on Iran, warning of additional penalties if Tehran fails to meet U.S. demands on its nuclear program. Trump noted that military action remains an option if diplomatic efforts fail.
Following the president’s statements, oil prices initially advanced, reflecting market anxiety, but later moderated as investors assessed the potential for negotiations to prevail.
Analysts noted that while the comments heightened geopolitical risks, the absence of immediate supply disruptions limited price escalation.
The Trump administration recently brokered a temporary Black Sea truce between Ukraine and Russia focused on safeguarding energy infrastructure.
However, Moscow has conditioned its full participation on the lifting of sanctions targeting Russian financial institutions involved in agricultural and fertilizer exports.
Global oil traders are now monitoring developments closely with attention shifting to whether Washington will proceed with secondary sanctions, a move that could significantly alter energy trade dynamics, particularly for Asia’s leading importers.
Investors are expected to remain cautious as geopolitical uncertainties surrounding Russia, Ukraine, and Iran weigh on commodity markets.
