US President Donald Trump has threatened Russia and its trading partners with economic sanctions if Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin fails to agree to a peace agreement with Ukraine within 50 days. He was"very disappointed" in Putin, Trump said at a press conference at the White House during a visit by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

"We will impose very tough tariffs if we don't reach an agreement within 50 days," Trump said."I use trade for many things," he added."But it's great for ending wars." The US president spoke of "secondary tariffs" of 100 percent or more. These would hit Russia's allies, such as China.

In Congress, representatives from both parties are working on legislation that would impose 500 percent tariffs on goods from countries that continue to purchase Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other goods. This would primarily affect China and India. The bill has overwhelming support in the Senate, but the Republican leadership is waiting for the green light from Trump.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte welcomed Trump's announcements. Sitting next to Trump, he said:"If I were (Kremlin chief) Vladimir Putin today, and I heard what you're talking about—what's supposed to happen in 50 days—then, after this announcement, I would consider whether I shouldn't take the negotiations on Ukraine much more seriously than I have so far." He said this is truly great news for Ukraine.

Weapons for Ukraine – and NATO countries pay

Trump also announced an arms deal with NATO countries. According to this deal, the members of the defense alliance would purchase weapons systems from the United States and either use them themselves or transfer them to other countries. The costs would be borne by the NATO member states, not the American taxpayer, he added.

NATO chief Rutte spoke of"massive" arms deliveries to Ukraine. The agreement means"that Ukraine will get its hands on truly massive quantities of military equipment," he said.

Rutte said that Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Great Britain, and Denmark would be among the buyers supplying Ukraine."Speed is crucial here," he emphasized. The deliveries should force Putin to"reconsider" his position on peace negotiations.

Trump confirmed that the planned deliveries also include Patriot defense systems. Patriot ("Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target") is one of the world's most advanced air defense systems. It is used to combat enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.

Trump: Putin just “goes on and on”

Putin talks about peace but relentlessly bombs Ukraine, Trump said."My conversations with him are very pleasant, and then the missiles go off at night."

He said he had already thought he had reached a deal with Putin four times."But it just went on and on," Trump said. The US president had long hoped that negotiations would end the war – and had spoken with Putin on the phone several times. Recently, he had expressed his displeasure with increasing frequency.