Newly inaugurated Donald Trump has warned President Putin that he will face taxes, tariffs and sanctions if Russia does not sign a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
His new statement comes after Trump’s repeated claim that he would end the war in his first 24 hours in the White House.
Although he missed this deadline, the new president made it clear that the war must end.
He added: “If we don’t make a deal, and soon, I will have no other choice but to impose high levels of taxes, tariffs and sanctions on anything Russia sells to the United States and various other participating countries.” Mr. Trump posted on his Social Truth platform.
“Let’s end this war, which would never have started if I were president,” he added. “We can do it the easy way, or the hard way, and the easy way is always better.”
President Trump has sent a mix of incentives and threats to both sides, hinting that he might step up arms supplies to Ukraine if Putin does not want to negotiate, but at the same time suggesting that supplies could be halted if Kiev refuses. Agree to a deal.
Journalists asked him on Tuesday about the possibility of cutting off weapons from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“Okay, we will look into it. We are talking with Zelensky,” he replied.
He added: “We will talk to President Putin very soon, and we will see what will happen and how it will all happen.” We will look into it.”
Four Russian sources told Reuters that Putin is ready to stop the war in Ukraine through a negotiated ceasefire that recognizes current battlefield lines, saying he is prepared to continue fighting if Kiev and the West do not respond.
“I’m not looking to hurt Russia,” he said. “I love the Russian people, and I have always had a very good relationship with President Putin – and this despite the radical left’s Russia, Russia, Russia hoax.
“We must never forget that Russia helped us win World War II, in which we lost nearly 60 million people.
“All that said, I will do Russia, whose economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big favor. Settle down now, and stop this ridiculous war! It will only get worse.”
This new warning comes after Trump’s previous warning to Putin on Tuesday (January 21) – just one day into his second presidency – when he said: [Putin] A deal should be made. I think he is destroying Russia by not making a deal.
“I think Russia will be in big trouble,” the 78-year-old added.