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White House Press Secretary Discusses Tariffs

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt announced that President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on India as a strategy to compel Russia to withdraw from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The tariffs have increased from 25 percent to a total of 50 percent, combining the new rate with the existing duty.

Levitt emphasized that these sanctions are intended to exert indirect pressure on Russia. She stated, "The president has exerted significant public pressure to bring this war to a conclusion. He has implemented sanctions on India and taken other measures to signal his commitment to ending the conflict. He has dismissed suggestions to delay meetings regarding this issue."

Trump's Meeting with Ukrainian President

Earlier, Trump held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, where he expressed a willingness to engage in trilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace. Trump described the day as highly productive, while Zelensky referred to it as the "best conversation" he has had with the U.S. President.

Levitt reiterated Trump's desire for a swift resolution, stating, "The president is eager to conclude this war as quickly as possible. With various European leaders visiting the White House, including the NATO Secretary General, there is a consensus that this is a positive initial step. The president anticipates that these two leaders will meet soon."

Efforts for Peace and Security

Levitt assured that the U.S. government, under Trump's administration, is actively collaborating with both Russia and Ukraine to facilitate bilateral discussions. She noted that Trump's persistent efforts to broker peace resulted in European leaders arriving at the White House just 48 hours after his meeting with Putin. "The president briefed these leaders on Russia's perspective, something that was not done by the previous administration," she added.

When questioned about Trump's assertion that the war would not have occurred under his leadership, Levitt confirmed that Putin had acknowledged this sentiment. She stated, "The president often claims that this conflict would not have started if he were in office, and President Putin himself has indicated agreement with that view."

Commitment to Lasting Peace

In response to inquiries about ensuring security guarantees beyond his presidency, Levitt highlighted Trump's commitment to achieving enduring peace. She mentioned that Trump is engaging in discussions with European leaders and NATO to secure this objective. "He has dedicated considerable time and effort to ending this war and remains resolute in his mission," Levitt concluded.

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