U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of imposing tough tariffs and sanctions on Russia if there is no agreement to end the war in Ukraine. In a social media post, Trump addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin directly, calling for an immediate resolution to what he described as a “ridiculous war.”
Trump, who has previously boasted about his good relationship with Putin, urged the Russian leader to make peace, saying, “We can do it the easy way or the hard way and the easy way is always better. It’s time to MAKE A DEAL. NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!”
During his campaign, Trump often claimed he could end the war between Russia and Ukraine in just one day if elected president. He also insisted that Putin would never have invaded Ukraine during his presidency.
However, it remains uncertain how much economic pressure would affect Russia. The Biden administration has already imposed heavy sanctions on Russia, targeting key sectors of its economy.
In his post, Trump clarified that his aim was not to harm Russia but to offer Putin “a very big favour,” given the severe toll the war has taken on lives and Russia’s economy. He pointed out that U.S. imports from Russia have already dropped significantly, falling by about 90% since 2021.
“Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” Trump wrote emphatically.
Speaking to reporters, Trump added that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also wants peace but emphasised that both sides need to come to an agreement. “It takes two to tango,” he said.
On the day of Trump’s inauguration, Putin sent a congratulatory message, expressing willingness to engage in dialogue and work towards long-term peace.
Trump remains firm in his stance, calling for an immediate resolution to the conflict to prevent further loss of life and destruction.
