By AAMER MADHANI, REGINA GARCIA CANO and EMMA BURROWS Associated Press
President Donald Trump is gathering with top national security officials. Monday's meeting comes as the U.S. Coast Guard is stepping up efforts to interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea as part of an escalating pressure campaign on Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro's government. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and others are scheduled to join Trump, who is vacationing at his Mar-a-Lago resort, for what the White House calls a "major announcement." Trump is expected to announce plans to build a new, large warship that Trump is calling a "battleship" as part of a larger vision to create a "Golden Fleet." That's according to people familiar with the matter who were not authorized comment publicly.
The European Union has heaped more economic sanctions on Russia, adding to U.S. President Donald Trump's new punitive measures the previous day against the Russian oil industry. Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by warning that the measures were an "unfriendly act" by Washington that could backfire against the U.S. by fueling oil prices. The American and European sanctions are intended as part of a broadened effort to choke off the revenue and supplies that fuel Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, compelling Putin to negotiate an end to the war. Speaking to reporters in Moscow, Putin said the new U.S. sanctions were serious but will not significantly impact its economy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the new restrictions.
By JOSH BOAK, RAJESH ROY and FATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press
Trump has signed an executive order to place an additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil. That brings the combined tariffs imposed by the United States on its ally to 50%. The tariffs would go into effect 21 days after the signing of the order Wednesday, meaning that both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. Trump's moves could scramble the economic trajectory of India, which until recently was seen as an alternative to China by American companies looking to relocate their manufacturing. China also buys oil from Russia, but wasn't included in the order.
By CHRIS MEGERIAN and ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press
President Donald Trump has announced new measures targeting Russia over its ongoing war in Ukraine, threatening steep tariffs if a peace deal isn't reached within 50 days. Trump also revealed plans for European allies to buy U.S. weapons and transfer them to Ukraine. Patriot air defense missiles are a top priority for the besieged country. Monday's announcement marks a shift in Trump's stance, as the Republican president previously criticized Ukraine's leadership but now expresses frustration with Vladimir Putin's continued aggression. Meanwhile, Ukraine faces intensified Russian attacks, with June recording the highest civilian casualties in three years.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he has not discussed resolving the conflict in Ukraine in detail with President Donald Trump. Putin also said Monday that Russian and American negotiating teams did not discuss it when they met last week in Saudi Arabia. In remarks broadcast on state television, Putin added that Russia does not rule out European countries participating in a peace settlement. Earlier in the day, Trump said he believed Putin would accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of a potential deal to end the war and said he had asked Putin that question. Putin and senior Russian officials had previously indicated they will not accept Western forces in Ukraine.
