US President Donald Trump issued a thinly veiled ultimatum to Russia on Wednesday, demanding an end to the Ukraine conflict and a “deal” or face new sanctions and high tariffs.
In a post on his online platform, Truth Social, Trump warned of the consequences, claiming to “love” the Russian people and stating he “would not harm Russia.”
Trump also mentioned the Soviet Union’s role in the Allied victory in World War II, overestimating the estimated 27 million Soviet losses, likely confusing the total number of casualties from all nations in the war.
“If we don’t get a deal, it’s going to get worse and worse” Trump said, warning that if a deal is not reached soon, he will have “no choice but to impose high taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on everything coming from Russia to the United States and other involved countries.”
The US President also reaffirmed that the Ukraine-Russia conflict “would never have started” if he were in office.
“We can do it the easy way or the hard way – and the easy way is always better” Trump warned Russia.
Earlier, Trump reiterated his willingness to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating he already has a “very good rapport” with the Russian leader. When asked when the meeting could take place, Trump replied, “Whenever they want – I’ll meet.”
“We’re speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. We will speak with President Putin soon, and then we’ll see how it goes” Trump said.
On Monday, Putin praised Trump’s intention to resume contacts between Russia and the US, which were interrupted under the Biden administration. However, the potential dialogue can only take place on a “mutually respectful and equal basis” the President warned during a meeting of the Russian National Security Council.