On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump increased pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine, warning of harsher economic actions if Russia refuses to end the war.
Trump’s statement, made via a Truth Social post, comes as the Republican leader pushes for a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict, which he had promised to resolve before even beginning his second term.
Trump said that if a deal is not reached soon, he would have no choice but to impose higher taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russian exports to the US and other participating nations.
However, he clarified that he wasn’t aiming to harm Russia, emphasizing his good relationship with Putin and expressing admiration for the Russian leader in the past.
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He urged Russia to settle the war, which he warned would only worsen, suggesting that the conflict never would have started if he had been president.
Trump offered a clear choice for resolution: “the easy way or the hard way,” with the “easy way” being a deal.
Despite extensive sanctions already placed on Russia for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Trump, known for his negotiating style and his book The Art of the Deal, hinted at ways to impose tougher measures on Putin.
US imports from Russia dropped significantly in 2024, with key items including fertilizers and precious metals.
This was the strongest stance Trump has taken against Putin since his return to the White House, and it contrasts with his earlier statements suggesting he might pressure Kyiv into a peace deal instead.
While Trump did not commit to continuing President Biden’s policy of providing military aid to Ukraine, he confirmed that discussions with both Ukrainian President Zelensky and President Putin are forthcoming.
Trump had previously promised to end the war within 24 hours of taking office, but a breakthrough has yet to materialize.
He also criticized Putin for “destroying Russia” by failing to make a deal.
Putin, on the other hand, expressed openness to dialogue with the new US administration and hopes for a lasting peace agreement.
Trump’s relationship with Putin, which has drawn praise from some US conservatives, has been scrutinized, particularly due to the FBI and Robert Mueller’s investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.
However, Mueller’s investigation found no evidence of criminal cooperation between Trump’s campaign and Russia.
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