Kremlin Works on Ukraine Peace Settlement as Trump Warns of Oil Tariffs Amid Putin Criticism
The Kremlin announced efforts with the United States to develop a peace settlement in Ukraine, even as President Trump warned of secondary tariffs on Russian oil following critical remarks by Putin about Ukrainian leadership.
Published on April 1, 2025
On March 31, 2025, the Kremlin announced that Russia and the United States are developing strategies aimed at a peace settlement in Ukraine. This comes as U.S. President Donald Trump voiced his frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin following Putin’s critical remarks regarding Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's credibility. Trump has warned that if Russia does not show cooperation, secondary tariffs on Russian oil might be imposed as an additional measure to drive progress.
Further discussions are reportedly underway on bilateral issues, with details remaining undisclosed due to the complexity of the negotiations. While various international voices—including Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and the G5+ nations in Europe—have urged an immediate ceasefire and increased pressure on Russia, the process is being viewed by Kremlin officials as a gradual one. Additional cooperation talks, including those on rare earth metals and other projects, have also commenced, reflecting the multi-dimensional nature of the efforts to stabilize the region.