Trump urges Putin to strike deal or face tariffs and sanctions

U.S. President Donald Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to make a deal to end the ongoing war in Ukraine or face higher tariffs and additional sanctions.

“If we don’t make a ‘deal,’ and soon, I have no other choice but to impose high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network.

A favor for Russia

Trump emphasized that while he was “not looking to hurt Russia” and had “always had a very good relationship with President Putin,” he was prepared to take a tough stance if the war continues. “All of that being said, I’m going to do Russia, whose economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous war! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” Trump added.

This statement marked a shift toward a more hardline position compared to his remarks at a White House press conference the previous day, where he said it “sounds likely” that additional sanctions would be applied if Putin did not engage in peace talks.

Trump declined to clarify whether he would continue the policy of sending weapons to Ukraine, a stance taken by his predecessor, Joe Biden. “We’re looking at that,” Trump said. “We’re talking to (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelensky, we’re going to be talking to President Putin very soon.”

Before his inauguration, Trump had pledged to end the Ukraine war quickly and suggested using U.S. aid to pressure Kyiv into making concessions to Russia. In unusually sharp criticism of Putin, Trump said the Russian president was “destroying Russia by not making a deal.”

Trump also stated that Zelensky had expressed a desire for a peace agreement to resolve the conflict.