Former U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Russia, threatening to impose “high levels” of tariffs and sanctions if a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine is not reached.
In a social media post, Trump directly addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that while their relationship has historically been strong, it is time to end “this ridiculous war.”
“We can do it the easy way, or the hard way – and the easy way is always better,” Trump wrote on his platform. “It’s time to MAKE A DEAL. NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!”
Throughout his campaign, Trump has repeatedly claimed that, if reelected, he could end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine within a single day. He has also argued that Putin would not have invaded Ukraine had Trump been in office.
While discussing potential sanctions, Trump clarified that his goal is not to harm Russia but to prevent further loss of life and economic damage. “I’m offering Putin a very big FAVOR,” he wrote, referencing the toll the war has taken on both human lives and Russia’s economy.
Economic data suggests Russia has minimal trade with the U.S. Last year, the U.S. imported less than $3 billion in Russian goods, representing only one-tenth of 1% of total U.S. imports and a 90% decrease from 2021 levels.
“Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” Trump urged in his post.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Trump expressed optimism about peace negotiations, noting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is open to a resolution but emphasized the need for cooperation from both sides.
“It takes two to tango,” Trump said. “I’d like to see this end. Millions of people are being killed. It’s a vicious situation.”
