President Trump on Wednesday threatened to impose tariffs and sanctions on Russia if there is no deal to stop the fighting in Ukraine “soon.”
“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,” Trump posted on Truth Social, referencing a special counsel investigation into any coordination between his 2016 campaign and Moscow.
“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 continued.
He warned that if there was not a ceasefire deal soon, he would “have no other choice” but to impose tariffs, taxes 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,” Trump wrote. “It’s time to ‘MAKE A DEAL.’ NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!”
The Biden administration has already imposed numerous sanctions on various Russian economic sectors, including its oil and energy sectors earlier this month, in an effort to cut off its revenues to fund the war in Ukraine.
Trump’s post on Truth Social is an indication he intends to keep and expand the sanctions in an attempt to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.
Trump has for months called for a ceasefire in Ukraine, urging both sides to negotiate. Russian forces invaded Ukraine in early 2022, and both sides have sustained heavy losses in the nearly three years of fighting.
The president told reporters on Tuesday that he had suggested to Chinese President Xi Jinping during a recent phone call that Beijing help get the conflict settled.
“I said, you ought to get it settled, because he’s not done very much on that. He’s got a lot of power,” Trump said.
