President Donald Trump issued a warning on Wednesday, threatening to impose fresh tariffs, taxes, and sanctions on Russian exports if the Kremlin does not swiftly agree to a deal to end its ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trump’s announcement, made via his Truth Social platform, signals his administration’s latest effort to pressure Moscow into negotiations nearly a year after he pledged to end the conflict within 24 hours of taking office.
READ: Russia Rejects Trump Team’s Reported Proposals For Ukraine Peace Deal
In his post, Trump stated that if a peace deal is not reached “soon,” he would be left with “no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States, and various other participating countries.” While insisting he is not looking to harm Russia, Trump emphasized that these measures were necessary to “do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR.”
The threat comes amid mounting pressure on Trump to fulfill his campaign promise to broker an end to the conflict, although recent reports suggest that negotiations could take several months rather than days. Trump was critical of the previous administration’s unwavering support for Ukraine and has sought to pursue a different diplomatic strategy with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
READ: Kremlin Voices Reiterate Putin’s Resistance To Negotiated Peace In Ukraine
Despite Trump’s tariff threat, experts note that its practical impact may be limited. U.S. Census Bureau data shows that American imports from Russia have significantly declined over the past decade, particularly after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which prompted wide-ranging sanctions under the Biden administration.
The sanctions targeted Russian companies, oligarchs, and financial institutions, weakening Russia’s economy but failing to halt its war efforts as Moscow turned to alternative trading partners such as China and North Korea.
On Monday, Putin reiterated Russia’s openness to negotiations with the Trump administration but maintained his firm conditions for any peace settlement. During a meeting of the Russian Security Council, Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed that any resolution must address what Moscow sees as the “root causes” of the war. These include:
- Ukraine’s permanent neutrality and a commitment to not join NATO.
- Severe restrictions on the Ukrainian military’s size and capabilities.
- The removal and replacement of Ukraine’s current government with one aligned with Moscow’s interests.
READ :Putin Open To Negotiate With U.S. On Ukraine, Maintains Demands For Ukraine’s Capitulation
Putin previously stated that in 2021, then-President Joe Biden proposed delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership by 10 to 15 years, which he suggested was proof that NATO expansion concerns were not the primary motivation for Russia’s invasion.
Trump’s latest tariff warning adds a new layer to the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the war in Ukraine. While his administration works toward a resolution, the potential for heightened economic measures could further strain U.S.-Russia relations and impact global markets. Diplomatic observers remain skeptical of Moscow’s willingness to make concessions, as the Kremlin has repeatedly insisted on Ukraine’s full capitulation.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently acknowledged Trump’s “unpredictable” nature as potentially beneficial in ending the conflict but remained cautious about any agreements that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
As Trump continues to push for a swift end to the war, his administration faces challenges in balancing diplomatic efforts with economic pressures. The coming weeks are expected to bring further developments as both the U.S. and Russia navigate the complex path toward potential negotiations.
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