Trump Pressures Putin with Threats of Tougher Sanctions and Tariffs
Washington, D.C.:Former U.S. President Donald Trump increased pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace with Ukraine, warning of harsher economic penalties if Moscow doesn’t end the ongoing conflict.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated his intent to resolve the war quickly, a promise he emphasized would have been fulfilled during his previous term.
“If a deal isn’t reached soon, I will have no choice but to impose significant taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on all Russian goods sold to the United States and other participating countries,” Trump wrote.
He clarified that his goal wasn’t to harm Russia, noting his historically good rapport with Putin. However, he issued a stark warning to the Russian leader: “Stop this senseless war now! Russia’s economy is already struggling, and it will only worsen. Let’s settle this – it’s time to make a deal.”
Trump claimed the conflict wouldn’t have started if he were president and called for an end to hostilities through negotiation. “We can resolve this the easy way or the hard way,” he added, emphasizing that a peaceful resolution was preferable.
Russia has already been hit with severe sanctions from the U.S. and other nations since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with trade between the U.S. and Russia reduced significantly. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, imports from Russia dropped from $4.3 billion in 2023 to $2.9 billion in 2024. Key imports include fertilizers and precious metals.
Trump’s remarks signal his firmest stance on Putin since returning to the White House. However, concerns linger that his strategy may pressure Ukraine rather than Russia into making concessions.
During a press conference earlier this week, Trump hinted at additional sanctions but declined to confirm if he would maintain President Joe Biden’s policy of providing billions in military aid to Ukraine. “We’re evaluating that,” he said, mentioning plans to speak with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Putin.
Known for his negotiation tactics, Trump is reportedly exploring stronger economic measures to pressure Russia into ending the war. While his approach draws attention, critics remain skeptical about its impact on resolving the prolonged conflict.
