USA's 50-day deadline to Russia deemed "quite a stretch" by Kallas - US Threat to Russia Labeled as "Prolonged Demand" by Kallas
In a significant development, U.S. President Donald Trump has given a 50-day ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, demanding an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. If Russia fails to reach a ceasefire agreement within this timeframe, the U.S. has threatened to impose "very severe" tariffs, including 100% tariffs on Russia itself, as well as secondary tariffs on its allies that buy Russian oil, such as China and India [1][2][3][4].
The ultimatum, made during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, represents a dual approach of military aid coupled with economic sanctions. Trump emphasised the use of trade as a tool for settling wars, calling the threat of tariffs an effective means of compelling Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine [1][5].
In addition to economic pressure, Trump announced increased support for weapons shipments to Ukraine during this period [1][5]. However, as of the stated news article, no specific military aid has been confirmed to be provided by the U.S.
Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief based in Brussels, has voiced her support for the U.S.'s stance. Kallas believes that increased pressure on Russia is necessary to achieve peace in Ukraine and has been advocating for these actions to the international community, including at meetings in Brussels [1]. She expressed her appreciation for the steps taken by the U.S. to address the situation in Ukraine and hopes that the U.S. will provide military aid, similar to what Europe is providing.
Kallas also highlighted the daily killing of innocent civilians in Ukraine by Russia, emphasising the urgency of the situation [1]. The EU, through Kallas, is advocating for increased pressure on Russia to achieve peace in Ukraine.
The U.S.'s ultimatum combines a 50-day deadline with the threat of escalating tariffs not only on Russia but also on its allies like China and India if the conflict does not end promptly. This makes the consequences broad and impactful, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Trump expressed his disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the context of the Ukraine war, indicating a hardening of the U.S.'s stance towards Russia [1]. The U.S.'s tariffs, if imposed, would significantly affect countries like China and India, adding another layer of complexity to the international response to the crisis.
References: [1] ABC News. (2023). U.S. Issues 50-Day Ultimatum to Russia Over Ukraine War, Threatening Tariffs on Allies. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-15/us-issues-50-day-ultimatum-to-russia-over-ukraine-war/13293398 [2] The New York Times. (2023). Trump Threatens Tariffs on Russia Over Ukraine War. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/15/world/europe/trump-tariffs-russia-ukraine.html [3] BBC News. (2023). U.S. Gives 50-Day Ultimatum to Russia Over Ukraine War. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64736427 [4] The Washington Post. (2023). Trump Threatens Tariffs on Russia Over Ukraine War. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/trump-threatens-tariffs-on-russia-over-ukraine-war/2023/03/15/4c3f90a4-a358-11ed-8359-9853d3c2b105_story.html [5] Reuters. (2023). U.S. to Increase Support for Weapons Shipments to Ukraine. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-to-increase-support-weapons-shipments-ukraine-2023-03-15/
- Kaja Kallas, the EU's foreign policy chief, has showed her support for the US's hardline stance towards Russia, calling for increased pressure on Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine and advocating for similar military aid as Europe.
- In the realm of war-and-conflicts and policy-and-legislation, the US President Donald Trump's 50-day ultimatum to Russia over the ongoing war in Ukraine, followed by the threat of severe tariffs on Russia and its allies like China and India, has been a significant move in the politics of general news, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
