U.S. President Donald Trump has warned Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine quickly, or face “high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions.”
Trump posted a message on Truth Social Wednesday, urging Moscow to settle the conflict or risk worsening consequences.
“Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous war! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” Trump wrote.
He added, “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 other participating countries.”
This statement followed Trump’s criticism of Putin continuing the war despite reports of over 700,000 Russian casualties and a plunging economy, with inflation approaching 10%.
“He can’t be thrilled,” Trump said. “He’s not doing so well. I mean, he’s grinding it out… it’s not making him look very good.”
“I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal,” Trump added.
Trump reiterated his stance on ending the war, emphasizing that the conflict never would have started if he were president. “Let’s get this war, which never would have started if I were President, over with! We can do it the easy way, or the hard way—and the easy way is always better,” he said. “It’s time to MAKE A DEAL. NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!”
Trump vowed to end the nearly three-year-long war within the first days of his next administration. He also expressed a willingness to meet with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to broker a deal.
“I’m not looking to hurt Russia. I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President Putin, despite the Radical Left’s Russia, Russia, Russia hoax,” Trump said. “We must never forget that Russia helped us win the Second World War, losing almost 60 million lives in the process.”
Trump also shared that Zelensky has expressed interest in making a deal to end the conflict.
“Zelensky wants to make a deal. I don’t know if Putin does… He should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal,” Trump concluded.
