How Did Russia Respond to Trump's Sanction Threats?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Russia's response: Dismissed US sanctions as theatrical.
- Trump's ultimatum: 100% tariffs threatened on Russian imports.
- Military support: US to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine.
- Global implications: Tariffs may affect countries buying Russian oil.
- Diplomatic tensions: Ongoing conflict complicates peace negotiations.
Moscow, July 15 (NationPress) Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, has outright rejected the threats from US President Donald Trump regarding the imposition of extensive economic sanctions on Russia, labeling it a “theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin” and affirming that Moscow is unfazed.
“Trump presented a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world held its breath, awaiting repercussions. The aggressive stance from Europe was met with disappointment. Russia remained indifferent,” Medvedev remarked on X.
This marks Moscow's initial official response following Trump's warning on Monday about imposing a secondary 100% tariff on nations importing oil, gas, and uranium from Russia, expressing his discontent with Moscow’s refusal to seek a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Trump set a 50-day deadline for the punitive tariffs to come into effect unless Russia reached a peace agreement with Ukraine, while speaking alongside NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte at the White House. “We are extremely displeased with them, and we plan to implement very severe tariffs. If we don’t reach a deal in 50 days, tariffs of approximately 100% will be imposed, which you would refer to as secondary tariffs,” he stated.
In response to the announcement, Matthew Whitaker, the US Permanent Representative to NATO, indicated that Trump’s declarations regarding military assistance to Ukraine and new anti-Russian measures may provoke a reaction from Russia, possibly including a response from President Vladimir Putin.
“Clearly, he will respond not only to the availability of US weapons to Ukrainians, at Europe’s expense, but also to this tariff,” Whitaker commented during an interview with Fox News, noting that countries like China and India, major consumers of Russian oil, would be impacted by these tariffs.
Trump further expressed his intention to impose “very severe tariffs” on Russia.
In expressing his frustration with President Putin, Trump mentioned, “My discussions with him are quite agreeable, yet missiles launch at night.”
“I believed we had a deal about four times” regarding Russia and Ukraine, Trump lamented, noting the ongoing nature of the conflict despite his attempts at mediation.
He also confirmed that the US will provide Patriot missiles and additional arms to Ukraine.