US President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine, warning of more severe economic consequences if Moscow refuses to end the ongoing war. In a post on Truth Social, Trump urged the Russian leader to take swift action, threatening high tariffs, sanctions, and taxes on Russian goods entering the US and other participating countries if an agreement isn’t reached soon.
“I’m not trying to harm Russia,” Trump clarified, emphasizing his long-standing positive relationship with Putin. “But Russia’s economy is struggling, and I’m doing President Putin a huge favor. Settle now, and end this senseless war—because it will only get worse if you don’t.”
Trump suggested that the war, which he insists never would have started under his leadership, could be resolved quickly through negotiations. He reiterated that peace could be achieved “the easy way or the hard way,” with the easy option being the best route for all parties involved.
The US has already imposed heavy sanctions on Russia since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, which has severely impacted trade. For example, from January to November 2024, the US imported $2.9 billion in goods from Russia, a significant drop from $4.3 billion during the same period in 2023. Key imports include fertilizers and precious metals. Trump’s administration believes that further toughening of these measures could push Putin to negotiate.
This marks Trump’s most direct stance on Putin since his return to the White House. He had previously expressed concerns about Kyiv’s role in the peace process, but his latest comments focus squarely on urging Russia to settle. Trump’s statements on the matter suggest he is prepared to go further with sanctions if Putin does not engage in peace talks.
In a White House press conference on Tuesday, Trump refrained from commenting on whether he would continue President Joe Biden’s policy of sending military aid to Ukraine. “We’re looking at that,” Trump said, adding that discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Putin are imminent.
Despite his previous admiration for Putin, Trump has been increasingly critical, noting that the Russian president is “destroying Russia” by refusing to make a deal. According to Trump, Zelensky himself expressed a desire for a peace agreement, and Trump’s plan involves leveraging talks with both leaders to bring the war to a close.
Putin sent his congratulations to Trump on his second term, signaling an openness to dialogue on the Ukraine conflict. The Russian leader emphasized the importance of achieving “lasting peace” in any settlement.
Trump’s ties to Putin have been the subject of much scrutiny, particularly due to past investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential campaign. Though Special Counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence of criminal conspiracy, Trump continues to label the investigation as the “Russia hoax.”
With his second term underway, Trump is pushing for a swift resolution to the war, hoping to end the conflict sooner rather than later through direct negotiations. How effective his strategy will be remains to be seen.
