During a press briefing on Tuesday, US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that President Donald Trump imposed new tariffs on India with the aim of deterring Russia from continuing the Ukraine conflict. Trump has reportedly doubled the tariff on India to 50 pc by adding an additional 25 pc levy on top of a previously announced 25 pc tariff.
Leavitt explained that the sanctions were intended to apply 'secondary pressure' on Moscow. "The president has put tremendous public pressure to bring this war to a close. He's taken actions, as you've seen, sanctions on India and other actions as well," she said. She added that Trump has been "very clear that he wants to see this war end" and has "scoffed at the ideas of others... that we should wait another month before any meeting takes place."
The press briefing took place shortly after Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House. During that meeting, Trump signaled his willingness to participate in a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy to negotiate an end to the war. Trump described the day as "very successful," while Zelenskyy characterised his conversation with the US President as the "best" he has had so far.
US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated that Trump's objective is to achieve peace as quickly as possible. "The president wants to move and he wants to bring this war to an end as quickly as possible," she stated. She noted that European leaders and the NATO Secretary General, who were at the White House for the talks, all agreed that the planned meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy is a "great first step." Leavitt confirmed that the US government and the Trump administration are currently working with both Russia and Ukraine to arrange this bilateral meeting.
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According to Leavitt, Trump's persistent efforts in brokering peace were the reason European leaders traveled to the White House within 48 hours of his recent meeting with Putin.
She said, "In fact, there was so much progress in the readout that was given to these European leaders immediately following his meeting with President Putin that every single one of them got on a plane 48 hours later and flew to the United States of America." Leavitt added that these leaders are "very grateful" that Trump provided them with insight into Russia's thinking, something she claimed was not done by the previous administration.
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When asked by a reporter about Trump's repeated claim that the war would not have started if he were president, and if Putin had confirmed this, Leavitt responded, "True. Do you accept that as true? The European leaders do. Well, and President Putin himself said that, by the way."
A reporter then inquired about Trump's plans to ensure security guarantees last beyond his presidency. Leavitt responded that Trump understands the need for lasting peace and is engaged in extensive discussions with European leaders and NATO to achieve this goal. She emphasised that Trump has invested a significant amount of "time, energy, and effort" into ending the war and remains determined to do so.
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