Trump’s Past Ukraine Stance: Tariffs, NATO Arms, and Shifting Diplomacy Recalled

In an analysis of past U.S. foreign policy, records show former President Donald Trump in a prior administration had threatened Russia with severe 100% tariffs on countries trading with Moscow if a ceasefire deal with Ukraine was not reached within 50 days. This stance, articulated during a White House meeting with then-NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, also included promises of billions in U.S.-made military equipment, like Patriot air defense systems, to Ukraine via NATO allies.

Reports from that period highlight Trump’s evolving approach towards Russian President Vladimir Putin and the conflict in Ukraine. Initially, Trump had suggested his personal relationship with Putin could lead to a swift peace agreement, but this shifted to open criticism of the Kremlin leader’s perceived unseriousness in negotiations. The weapons announcement coincided with a visit to Kyiv by White House special envoy Keith Kellogg, followed by a call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where strengthening Ukraine’s air defense was a key topic.

Ukrainian officials at the time, including Oleksandr Merezhko, then chair of the parliament’s foreign affairs committee, expressed cautious optimism regarding Trump’s potential shift in attitude, particularly concerning the urgent need for air defense systems. However, some, like Solomiia Bobrovska of the Ukrainian parliament’s defense and security committee, voiced concerns that Russia might escalate hostilities within the 50-day window. The Kremlin, through spokesman Dmitry Peskov, dismissed Trump’s moves as a continuation of previous U.S. policies under a different guise, while some Russian nationalists viewed the 50-day timeframe as a new deadline for battlefield gains. Political observers in Moscow noted the unpredictable nature of the American presidency, suggesting that the pendulum of U.S.-Russia relations could swing again.

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