U.S. President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, threatening harsher economic measures if Moscow does not agree to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump urged a swift resolution to the conflict, reiterating his promise to bring the war to an end swiftly, a pledge he made before starting his second term in office.
“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,” Trump warned.
While stating he was “not looking to hurt Russia” and emphasizing his “very good relationship” with Putin, Trump also issued a stark ultimatum. “Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” he added.
Trump’s remarks mark his strongest stance on Putin since returning to the White House earlier this week. The Republican president has pledged to leverage economic and diplomatic tools to end the war, which began in February 2022 with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Economic Pressure
Russia has already been subjected to sweeping sanctions under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, which targeted its energy sector and restricted trade. U.S. imports from Russia fell to $2.9 billion between January and November 2024, down from $4.3 billion during the same period in 2023, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Despite existing sanctions, Trump hinted at additional measures to squeeze Moscow further. “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,’” he said.
Criticism of Putin
In unusually sharp criticism, Trump accused Putin of “destroying Russia by not making a deal.” He claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had expressed willingness for a peace agreement.
Speaking at a White House press conference on Tuesday, Trump hinted at the possibility of further sanctions but did not confirm whether his administration would continue providing military aid to Ukraine. “We’re looking at that,” he said, adding that discussions with both Zelensky and Putin were forthcoming.
Mixed Signals
While Trump has repeatedly expressed admiration for Putin in the past, his latest comments suggest a harder line. He has also pledged to meet Putin soon, potentially reviving the diplomatic approach seen during their Helsinki summit in Trump’s first term.
Before his inauguration earlier this week, Trump promised to end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours,” raising speculation about how he might leverage U.S. aid to pressure Kyiv into territorial concessions. However, his promised diplomatic breakthrough has yet to materialize.
Putin, meanwhile, congratulated Trump on his second-term inauguration and expressed openness to dialogue, stating that he hoped for a settlement that would ensure “lasting peace.”
Trump’s remarks come as debate continues in Washington over U.S. policy toward the conflict, with questions surrounding whether his administration will continue the billions of dollars in military support initiated under Biden.
While Trump maintains his pledge to seek peace, critics remain wary of his approach, noting his past praise of Putin and skepticism about U.S. intelligence investigations into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
