Why Trump Was “Pissed Off” by Putin’s Criticism of Zelenskyy and Vowed to Impose Tariffs on Russian Oil

US President Donald Trump expressed frustration and anger over Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s recent remarks questioning the credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership. Trump said he was “very angry” and “pissed off,” stating that Putin’s comments were “not going in the right location.”

This was reported by NBC News, citing a phone call with Trump on March 30.

Trump’s comments seem to directly address Putin’s remarks about Ukrainian leadership and the ongoing war. As reported by NBC News, Trump has warned of imposing “secondary tariffs” on Russian oil if he holds Moscow accountable for failing to reach a ceasefire agreement.

“If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault, which it might not be, but if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia,” Trump said.

“I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia.” He emphasized that any business engaging in trade with Russia would face restrictions, asserting, “If you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States.” Trump proposed a 25% tariff on all Russian oil, with a potential range of 25% to 50%.

Since the 2014 ousting of Moscow-aligned President, Viktor Yanukovych, Putin has regularly labeled the Ukrainian government as illegitimate.

On February 23, Zelenskyy addressed the challenges of holding elections during wartime, questioning the feasibility of organizing a democratic vote under current conditions.

Ukraine’s constitution prohibits elections under martial law. Holding national elections amid full-scale war would be logistically impossible and legally invalid.