U.S. President Donald Trump warned Russia of a “very tough round of powerful tariffs” if it refuses to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine, and called on Europe to adopt the same measures. He made the remarks Tuesday during the opening ceremony of the UN General Assembly’s high-level session.
“If Russia is not ready to agree to a ceasefire, the United States is fully prepared to impose a very tough round of powerful tariffs, which I believe will quickly stop the bloodshed,” Trump said.
He stressed that for the tariffs to be effective,
“European countries—all those gathered here—must join us in implementing exactly the same measures.”
The U.S. president emphasized that the war is being fought directly in Europe, while the United States is across the ocean. “So Europe must step up its actions,” he said.
Trump reiterated that European countries cannot continue to buy oil and gas from Russia while fighting against it.
“They must immediately stop all energy purchases from Russia, or else we will all waste a lot of time,” he added.
He also said he is ready to discuss these issues with European nations on the sidelines of the General Assembly.
