Kremlin Says Trump’s Comments on Secondary Tariffs Are Serious, Need Time to Analyze

President Donald Trump’s recent comments, including about secondary tariffs on countries that trade with Russia, were “very serious,” a Kremlin official said on July 15.

When asked about the U.S. president’s recent statements, which included ones directed at Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “We certainly need time to analyse what was said in Washington. And if and when President Putin deems it necessary, he will definitely comment.”

The reaction came after Trump announced on July 14 that he would impose new penalties against the Russian Federation’s trading partners unless Moscow agrees on a peace deal with Kyiv in the next 50 days.

In comments made while hosting NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House, Trump said he was “disappointed” in Putin, “because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn’t seem to get there.”

He continued that he would introduce “secondary tariffs” on goods from third countries that trade with Russia, to isolate Moscow further from the global economy.

These proposed penalties are separate from planned legislation that would allow for tariffs of up to 500 percent on goods from countries buying their energy from the Russian Federation.

“So, based on that, we’re going to be doing secondary tariffs. If we don’t have a deal in 50 days, it’s very simple, and they’ll be at 100 percent, and that’s the way it is,” Trump said.

The United States had previously ordered a secondary tariff regime against countries purchasing Venezuelan oil.

‘Disappointed’ But Not Done

Hours later, Trump told the BBC, in reference to the Russian president: “I’m disappointed in him, but I’m not done with him. But I’m disappointed in him.”

Pressed on how he would get Putin to “stop the bloodshed,” Trump said,

“We’re working at it.

“We’ll have a great conversation. I’ll say: ‘That’s good, I’ll think we’re close to getting it done,’ and then he’ll knock down a building in Kyiv.”

Russia has been bombarding Ukrainian cities with missiles and drones in recent weeks, with one overnight attack alone last week seeing the country hit by 728 Shahed and decoy drones, as well as 13 missiles.

Patriot Missiles

In addition to the new secondary tariffs, Trump said on Monday he would supply Ukraine with additional military support—including Patriot missile systems, used in the defense against aerial attacks—which will be paid for by European allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a statement posted on X on July 14 that he was grateful to Trump, Germany, and Norway for their support in procuring Patriots.

Zelenskyy said: “Everything humanly possible must be done to force Russia to stop the killings, to achieve real peace, and to ensure security. Peace is only possible through strength.”

He said that Russia’s war financing “must be cut off,” along with any supply of components for its military industry.

“Ukraine is absolutely ready for all honest and effective steps toward peace, lasting peace, and real security. It is Russia that isn’t ready. It is Russia that must be forced,” he said.

In apparent reference to the recent deal on delivering weapons to Ukraine, Peskov said on Tuesday: “Decisions which are being made in Washington, in NATO countries, and squarely in Brussels, are perceived by the Ukrainian side not as a signal for peace, but as a signal to continue the war.”

The Kremlin spokesman reiterated that Moscow was ready to continue negotiations with Kyiv and was waiting for word from Ukraine when the next talks could take place.

Potential Additional EU Sanctions

While European allies are facilitating arms supplies for Ukraine, the European Union (EU) is also edging closer to agreeing fresh sanctions on Russia.

European Commission foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas said on July 15 that the bloc has proposed a sanctions package, “but it is a question of whether we can overcome the veto of one member state or not, but we are trying to work on that.”

Among the plans are proposals to ban any EU operator from engaging—either directly or indirectly—in transactions with Russia’s Nord Stream gas pipelines.

Reuters contributed to this report.