Trump threatens Russia with sanctions if Ukraine continues

President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to impose “high levels” of sanctions on Russia and tariffs on imports from it if the country did not reach a settlement to end its nearly three-year-old war with Ukraine.

Trump’s warning, made in a social media post on his third day as president, called out Russian President Vladimir Putin by name.

“If we don’t make a ‘deal’ and soon, I have no choice but to place high levels of taxes, tariffs and sanctions on everything sold by Russia to the US and various other participating countries.” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“Let’s get this war that would never have started if I were president over! 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!!!”

Trump had repeatedly said he could end the war in Ukraine in one day if elected to a second, non-consecutive term in the White House. The war began in February 2022 with an invasion of Russian.

“They are dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I will get it done – I will get it done in 24 hours,” he said in May 2023.

It didn’t come on the heels of his inauguration on Monday.

But Trump’s message to Russia on Wednesday revealed his intention to deploy economic weapons against the country similar to those he has threatened against US allies such as Mexico and Canada if those nations do not bend to his will.

“I do not seek to hurt Russia. I love the Russian people and have always had a very good relationship with President Putin – and this despite the Radical Left’s Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We must never forget that Russia helped us win World War II and lost nearly 60,000,000 lives in the process.”

“All that being said, I will do Russia, whose economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Make up your mind now and STOP this ridiculous war!” Trump wrote.

“IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”

Trump’s claim about Russian losses in World War II is significantly higher than expert estimates.

The National World War Museum in New Orleans says the total number of military and civilian casualties in the Soviet Union during the war was 24 million.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in December that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in action and another 370,000 wounded.

Zelenskyy also said that Ukraine estimates that 198,000 Russian soldiers have been killed and more than 550,000 wounded.