Trump is angry with Putin, Zelenskyy reportedly prepares for elections - Weekend brief

Trump says he's 'pissed off' at Putin, ready to impose secondary tariffs on 'all oil coming out of Russia'

US President Donald Trump is “angry” and “pissed off” with Russian president Vladimir Putin over statements about Zelenskyy's alleged illegitimacy and the ceasefire in Ukraine. Trump is ready to impose secondary tariffs on Russian oil, according to NBC News.

“If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia's fault — which it might not be — but if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia,” Trump was quoted as saying.

Zelenskyy orders election planning after full ceasefire, eyes July 2025 - The Economist

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has instructed to organize elections after a full ceasefire is achieved. These elections could reportedly take place as early as July 2025, according to The Economist.

The Economist writes that the first confirmation of the elections could come on the eve of, or directly on, May 5, the final deadline for parliament to vote on extending martial law, which expires on May 8. The cancellation of this provision is the first necessary step for the election process to begin.

Ukraine sees new US proposal on minerals deal as 'lifetime reparations'

The United States' new proposal regarding the minerals deal has raised concerns among Ukrainian officials. They compared the terms to "lifetime reparations," informs The Washington Post.

Ukrainian officials note that the document fails to provide sufficient security guarantees. They also note that US demands for access to Ukraine's natural resources could lead to new tensions between the two countries.

One anonymous senior official said the new draft agreement seems as if "Ukraine was in the war with the US, lost, was captured and now has to pay lifetime reparations."

Finland's president suggests Trump set ceasefire deadline for Ukraine

Finnish President Alexander Stubb suggested that US President Donald Trump set a deadline for a ceasefire in Ukraine, according to Yle.

During a conversation between the two leaders, the President of Finland emphasized to Trump the need to establish a clear date for a ceasefire in Ukraine.

US reorients its army, China and Taiwan become main priority

Taiwan is becoming a key challenge for the US: The Pentagon is altering its military strategy and preparing for a potential conflict with China, while Europe will have to defend itself against Russia, reports The Washington Post.

In mid-March, the Pentagon circulated a classified document signed by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin titled Interim National Defense Strategic Guidance. It outlines the implementation of President Donald Trump's concept for preparing and prevailing in a potential war with China and defending the US from threats in the near abroad, including Greenland and the Panama Canal.

The document notes that, due to staffing and resource limitations, the Department of Defense will take risks in other theaters of war. It also anticipates a policy of pressuring allies in Europe, the Middle East, and East Asia to spend more on defense and take on the primary role in deterring threats from Russia, North Korea, and Iran.