
By Kremlin.ru, CC BY 4.0,
Donald Trump has issued a warning to Russia, stating that if a resolution to the conflict in Ukraine is not reached promptly, he will impose taxes, tariffs, and sanctions.
The new U.S. president aims to intensify pressure on Moscow to engage in negotiations with Kyiv. In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump highlighted the struggles of the Russian economy and called on Vladimir Putin to “settle now and stop this ridiculous war.”
He further stated that without an agreement, he would have “no other choice but to impose high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on any goods sold by Russia to the United States and other allied nations.”
This statement represents Trump’s most comprehensive approach to resolving the war in Ukraine to date. During his campaign, he claimed he could end the conflict “in 24 hours” if he were elected.
It’s time to conclude this war, which would not have begun if I had been President. We can opt for an easier resolution or a more difficult one, and I believe the easier option is always the best,” he remarked.
Trump had promised to end the war during his campaign, even prior to taking office. When asked on Monday how long it would take to achieve this, he replied, “I must discuss this with President Putin. We will need to assess the situation.”
Reports from U.S. media this week indicate that Trump has tasked his special envoy, Keith Kellogg, with the goal of ending the war in 100 days.
Notably, high-ranking Russian officials have recently demonstrated a surprising readiness to connect with Trump. Putin acknowledged Trump’s intention to “renew direct ties with Russia” during a statement made on Monday.
In a move that appears to cater to Trump’s well-known affinity for compliments, Putin has referred to him as courageous on two instances, alluding to the assassination attempt he survived at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
In comparison, Trump’s statements regarding Russia have been notably more severe, representing some of his most pointed public critiques of Putin and his administration.
When questioned about the conflict in Ukraine shortly after taking office on Monday, Trump remarked that his Russian counterpart was undermining Russia by not pursuing a ceasefire.
“He can’t be pleased; things aren’t going well for him,” he stated to reporters, commenting on Putin’s military actions. “Russia is larger, and they have more troops to sacrifice, but that’s not an effective way to govern a nation.”
Trump remarked on Wednesday that he has “always had a very good relationship” with Putin and asserted that he “was not looking to hurt Russia.” These latest remarks underscore the discomfort among many in Moscow’s elite regarding his unpredictable behavior, which has resulted in a measured response since his re-election.
Alexander Kots, a well-known pro-war correspondent for Komsomolskaya Pravda, noted on Telegram that Trump has effectively given Putin an ultimatum. He stated, “As I have previously indicated, it is prudent to prepare for the worst. Before long, we may look back on Biden’s administration with a sense of nostalgia, similar to a thaw.”
Trump administration officials have indicated that the U.S. could escalate its economic sanctions against Russia by targeting its energy sector. Tatiana Stanovaya, founder of the political analysis firm R.Politik, remarked that despite Trump’s attempts to urge Putin toward negotiations, the Russian leader seems to believe he can outlast Ukraine.
She commented on X, stating, “A peace settlement on Russia’s terms would conserve substantial resources, but without such an agreement, Putin is willing to fight for as long as necessary.” Additionally, she pointed out that the current economic conditions in Russia are unlikely to motivate Putin to negotiate with Ukraine.
She suggested that if the Kremlin determines that a favorable deal with Trump is not forthcoming, they will likely aim to prolong the conflict.