Russia-Ukraine war: President Donald Trump threatens President Vladimir Putin with sanctions to end conflict
President Donald Trump has issued clear warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine, saying if the conflict doesn’t stop, things will ‘get worse’ for Russia.
Mr Trump vowed to end the Russia-Ukraine war on the first day of his presidency whilst on the campaign trail and after his election win against former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Writing on Truth Social, Mr Trump said: “I’m not looking to hurt Russia. I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President Putin - and this despite the radical left’s Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“We must never forget that Russia helped us win the Second World War, losing almost 60,000,000 lives in the process. All of that being said, I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big favour.
“Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous war!
“IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” Mr Trump wrote in capital letters.
Mr Trump went on to reveal that Russia, who is already the most sanctional country globally, will be hit with “hard” taxes, tarrifs and sanctions if the war is not ended, another example of the president’s peace through strength technique.
“If we don’t make a ‘deal’, and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries.
“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.
“It’s time to ‘make a deal’. No more lives should be lost!” Mr Trump said.
Russia responds to Donald Trump Russia-Ukraine war threat
Russia’s deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy was one of the first to resond to Mr Trump’s threat.
“It’s not merely the question of ending the war,” Mr Polyanskiy told Reuters.
“It’s first and foremost the question of addressing root causes of Ukrainian crisis.”
The Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has been ongoing in form sincer 2014, was a core concern for the deputy UN ambassador.
“So we have to see what does the ‘deal’ mean in President Trump’s understanding,” Mr Polyanskiy said.
“He is not responsible for what the US has been doing in Ukraine since 2014, making it ‘anti-Russia’ and preparing for the war with us, but it is in his power now to stop this malicious policy.”
It is understood that Mr Trump has initiated some form of negotiations with Mr Putin’s administration, with the Russian leader believed to be in communication with China regarding the discussions.
