Trump Threatens Tariffs, Sanctions Unless Russia Strikes Deal To End War

President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened “Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions” on Russia and its allies unless Moscow strikes a deal to end the war with Ukraine.

Trump posted the threat on his social media platform, Truth Social, calling for an end to the “ridiculous War.” The president made the statement on his third day in office, calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin by name.

“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. We must never forget that Russia helped us win the Second World War, losing almost 60,000,000 lives in the process,” Trump wrote.

“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,” he continued. “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.”

The “various other participating countries” likely include China, as well. Beijing and Moscow have grown closer in recent years, with China becoming a significant buyer of Russian energy and supplier of technology and equipment to support Russia’s war effort. Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with Putin on Tuesday in a show of solidarity after Trump was sworn into office the day prior.

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Russia has also received help in the war from North Korea, which recently dispatched thousands of its own soldiers to join the fight against Ukraine.

“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!!!” Trump wrote.

Trump’s threats are the latest example of the president’s willingness to wield the United States’ economic might to pressure other countries. Trump has also threatened Canada and Mexico with tariffs unless they take action on issues such as securing their borders against illegal immigration and drug smuggling. 

The war between Russia and Ukraine has lasted nearly three years since its beginning in February 2022 with a failed Russian blitz to take Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.