Donald Trump has warned that he will impose significant tariffs and additional sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not end the war in Ukraine. Posting on his Truth Social, Trump stated that pushing for a resolution would be a “very big favor” to Russia and Putin, whose economy is struggling. Trump had previously claimed that he could broker a peace deal to end Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began in February 2022, within a single day.
Although Russia has not yet responded to Trump’s comments, senior officials have indicated that there is a small window for Moscow to negotiate with the new U.S. administration. Putin has repeatedly said he is open to talks but insists Ukraine must accept Russia’s territorial gains, which currently cover about 20% of Ukraine’s land, and must also reject NATO membership.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed a willingness to temporarily give up some of the occupied land but refuses to surrender any territory permanently.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Trump stated he would be speaking to Putin “very soon” and suggested that if Putin does not engage in negotiations, he would apply more sanctions.
On Wednesday, he elaborated in a Truth Social post, emphasizing the urgency to settle the war. He warned of worsening conditions and threatened high taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russian goods exported to the U.S. and other countries unless a deal is reached soon.
Russia’s Deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy stated that Moscow would need to know the specifics of Trump’s desired deal before moving forward. Meanwhile, Zelensky told the World Economic Forum that any peace agreement would require the presence of at least 200,000 peacekeepers, including U.S. troops, to ensure a credible deterrent against Russia.
In Ukraine, reactions to Trump’s statements have been mixed. While some leaders may appreciate his tougher rhetoric, many Ukrainians remain skeptical, focusing more on actions than words. Trump has not clarified what additional sanctions or penalties might be imposed, particularly as Russian imports to the U.S. have already decreased significantly since 2022.
In Russia, there are signs that the Kremlin may be preparing its population for a less-than-complete victory in the war, with discussions about halting the fighting along the current frontline, which could leave parts of Ukrainian territory still under Kyiv’s control. Some pro-Putin figures have begun to speak of “realistic” conditions for peace, though these ideas have sparked backlash from hardline supporters.
Trump’s social media post also expressed “love” for the Russian people and praised Soviet losses during World War II, though his comments on the death toll were factually inaccurate and seemed to ignore the millions of Ukrainians and other Soviet citizens who died. Despite his previous comments suggesting an understanding of Russia’s concerns, Trump’s shifting tone could signal a harder stance on Russia, although skepticism remains in Ukraine due to years of conflict and failed peace efforts.
