Trump warns Russia: End ‘ridiculous’ Ukraine War or face heavy tariffs

On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the “ridiculous” war in Ukraine. Trump posted a message on his Truth Social platform, calling for a “deal” to stop the conflict. He also threatened to impose high tariffs on Russian exports if Putin refused to negotiate.

Trump emphasized his admiration for the Russian people and his past positive relationship with Putin. “I’m not looking to hurt Russia,” Trump wrote. “I love the Russian people, and I’ve always had a good relationship with President Putin. Despite the Radical Left’s ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ hoax, Russia helped us win World War II, sacrificing nearly 60 million lives.”

Despite his positive remarks about Russia, Trump made it clear that he would take strong action if Putin did not agree to a resolution. “I’m going to do Russia and President Putin a big favor,” he said. “But, if we don’t settle soon, I’ll have no choice but to impose high tariffs on anything Russia sells to the US and other countries.”

Trump continued, urging Putin to end the war. “It’s only going to get worse. We must make a deal. The easy way is always better,” he wrote. “No more lives should be lost. Let’s end this now.” Trump added that the war would never have happened if he had been in office.

The former president’s comments echoed his stance during his campaign, where he repeatedly claimed that the war would not have started under his leadership. Trump also questioned the billions of dollars the US government has spent on supporting Ukraine. He argued that the aid bolstered a “corrupt” network of defense contractors and hawkish politicians within the Biden administration.

In November, Trump reportedly spoke with Putin during a private call from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. According to The Washington Post, Trump briefly raised the issue of Russian-occupied land in Ukraine, although the details of the conversation remained unclear.

However, the Kremlin denied these reports, calling them “pure fiction” and “false information.” Russia dismissed claims of any discussions with Trump about ending the war.

During his election campaign, Trump criticized the US government’s continued military and financial support for Ukraine. He argued that the resources could be better used elsewhere, and he expressed frustration with the ongoing conflict.

Trump’s comments have reignited the debate over US foreign policy and its role in the Ukraine war. While some support his call for peace negotiations, others warn that appeasing Russia could embolden Putin further.

As the situation continues to unfold, Trump’s stance remains clear: he wants to end the war and push for a “deal” that benefits all parties. Whether Putin will agree to negotiations remains uncertain, but Trump’s words highlight the growing tension between the US and Russia.