US President Donald Trump threatens tariffs, taxes, and sanctions to pressure Russia into ending the conflict.
President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to end the ongoing war in Ukraine or face severe economic repercussions, including taxes, tariffs, and sanctions.
Taking to Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump called for an immediate resolution to the nearly three-year conflict, stating, “Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.”
Trump emphasized his intent to pressure Moscow, writing, “If we don’t make a ‘deal,’ and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries.”
The president also reaffirmed his commitment to ending the conflict swiftly, declaring, “Let’s get this war, which never would have started if I were President, over with! We can do it the easy way or the hard way – and the easy way is always better. NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!”
Trump, who has pledged to bring the war to an end within days of returning to office, expressed a willingness to meet with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to negotiate a peace agreement.
“I’m not looking to hurt Russia. I love the Russian people and have always had a very good relationship with President Putin,” Trump stated. He also referenced Russia’s historical sacrifices during World War II, adding, “We must never forget that Russia helped us win the Second World War, losing almost 60,000,000 lives in the process.”
According to Trump, Zelensky has indicated his readiness to negotiate a resolution. “Zelensky wants to make a deal. I don’t know if Putin does. He should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal,” Trump remarked.
Trump also criticized Putin for the toll the war has taken on Russia, citing reports of over 700,000 casualties and a struggling economy with inflation nearing 10%. “He can’t be thrilled,” Trump said, adding, “He’s grinding it out … it’s not making him look very good.”
The post underscores Trump’s strategy of combining diplomatic talks with the threat of economic pressure as he aims to resolve one of the world’s most significant ongoing conflicts.