US President Donald Trump has ramped up efforts to broker a deal to end the war in Ukraine, issuing a stark warning to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. On Wednesday, Trump threatened massive tariffs and sanctions if Russia does not cease its aggression against Ukraine.
Addressing Putin directly on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump wrote:
“If we don’t reach an agreement soon, I will have no choice but to impose high taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on everything Russia sells to the United States and other involved countries.”
Trump’s Message: The Easy Way or the Hard Way
Trump further emphasized his stance:
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way – and the easy way is always better.”
Putin’s invasion of Ukraine began nearly three years ago, and Trump’s approach signals his intention to escalate economic pressure on Russia.
Balancing Tough Talk with Praise for Russia
Despite the tough rhetoric, Trump expressed his admiration for the Russian people, clarifying that his goal was not to harm Russia. “We must never forget that Russia helped us win World War II, sacrificing nearly 60 million lives in the process,” Trump said.
However, historical records show the Soviet Union, not just Russia, lost approximately 25 million soldiers and civilians during the war.
Trump’s Promise: Ending the War in 100 Days
During his campaign, Trump vowed to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office. While this promise remains unfulfilled, his advisors now believe a deal could take months to negotiate.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump has tasked his Ukraine envoy, former General Keith Kellogg, with securing a peace agreement within 100 days.
No Room for Compromise
Trump has made it clear that he views Putin as the primary obstacle to peace. After signing executive orders in the Oval Office, Trump stated, “Zelensky is ready to sign an agreement, but I’m not sure Putin is. He should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia if he doesn’t.”
When asked on Tuesday if additional sanctions would be imposed should Putin refuse to negotiate, Trump responded firmly:
“That sounds likely.”
Trump’s Ultimatum to Putin
Trump’s ultimatum underscores his strategy to pressure the Kremlin into submission, signaling that he is prepared to take bold economic measures to force a resolution. With a 100-day timeline in place, all eyes are on whether Trump’s approach will yield the peace he has promised.
