President Trump threatens secondary sanctions

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – President Donald Trump is putting new pressure on Russia to end the war in Ukraine.  He threatened economic consequences if there’s not a deal soon.

President Trump said if there’s not a deal in 50 days to end the war in Ukraine the U.S. will put new tariffs on Russia’s trading partners.

“I’m disappointed in President Putin because I thought we would have had a deal two months ago, but it doesn’t seem to get there,” said Trump.

During an Oval Office meeting with NATO’s secretary-general the president also announced a new deal to sell European allies U.S. weapons to give to Ukraine.

“This is billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment,” said Trump.

The deal includes Patriot air defense systems to help Ukraine stop Russian missiles.

“It will mean Ukraine can get its hands on really massive numbers on military equipment,” said NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine started more than three years ago.

The president says he’s frustrated with the lack of progress toward peace from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“I always hang up say that was a nice phone call, then missiles are launched into Kyiv or some other city and I say that’s strange,” said Trump.

Democrats in Congress are criticizing the president saying his support for Ukraine should have started sooner.

“Donald Trump has zero credibility in this area. Is he just now figuring out Ukraine is a friend?” asked House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Meanwhile in Kyiv, U.S. special envoy Keith Kellogg met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy thanked him and the U.S. for the support.

There’s also a bill in Congress that would impose secondary tariffs and sanctions on countries that buy products from Russia.