Putin's Threat to Escalate War Triggers Trump’s Support for Ukraine
As the Russia-Ukraine war drags on, a dramatic shift has emerged in Washington. Axios reported on July 13 that during a phone call earlier this month, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Trump he plans to escalate the war within 60 days, aiming to seize key territories within Ukraine’s administrative borders.
The call reportedly frustrated Trump. A source close to the matter revealed that Trump later told French President Emmanuel Macron, "He wants everything," referring to Putin’s territorial ambitions.
Following the call, Trump’s tone on Russia hardened. He openly expressed dissatisfaction with Putin, saying the conversation brought “no progress” and that he was “very unhappy.” In response, Trump approved shipments of defensive weapons to Ukraine and signaled readiness for harsher sanctions.
U.S. Eyes 100% Tariffs as Pressure Tactic
On July 14, during a joint press event with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump confirmed the U.S. would send weapons to Ukraine via NATO, with the alliance covering costs and distribution. He warned that if no ceasefire deal is reached within 50 days, the U.S. would impose "secondary tariffs" of up to 100%—not only on Russia but also on countries continuing to trade with it.
“This is very simple. If we don’t get a deal, we go with 100% tariffs,” Trump declared.
Context: A Strategic Shift in Trump’s Russia Policy
Historically perceived as soft on Moscow, Trump’s sudden change in rhetoric signals a potential realignment of U.S. policy. With elections on the horizon, Trump’s firm response may serve to bolster his leadership credentials and counter criticism of his previous ties to Russia.
