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Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) looks on at U.S. President Donald Trump during a welcoming ceremony before the plenary session of the G20 summit on November 30, 2018 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Mikhail Sviatlov Getty Images
President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to impose “high levels” of sanctions against Russia and tariffs on imports from there if the country does not reach an agreement to end the war against Ukraine.
Trump’s warning, made in a social media post on the third day of his presidency, called out Russian President Vladimir Putin by name.
“If we don’t make a ‘deal’ soon, I will have no choice but to impose high levels of taxes, tariffs and sanctions on everything Russia sells to the United States and various other participating countries,” Trump wrote in Truth Social.
“Let’s end this war that would never have started if I were president! We can do it the easy way or the hard way — and the easy way is always better,” Trump wrote.
“It’s time to ‘CLOSE THE DEAL’. LIFE DOESN’T HAVE TO BE HUMBLE ANYMORE!!!”
Trump has repeatedly said that he can end the war in Ukraine in one day if he is elected to a second consecutive term in the White House.
“They are dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’m going to do it — I’m going to do it in 24 hours,” he said in May 2023.
That did not happen after his inauguration on Monday.
But Trump’s message to Russia on Wednesday revealed his intention to deploy an economic weapon against the country similar to the one he has threatened against US allies such as Mexico and Canada if those countries do not bow to his will.
“I am not going to harm Russia. I love the Russian people and have always had a very good relationship with President Putin – despite the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax, Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We must never forget that Russia helped us win World War II, losing nearly 60,000,000 lives in the process.”
“With all that in mind, I’m going to give Russia, whose economy is collapsing, and President Putin a very big FAVOR. Settle now and STOP this ridiculous war!” Trump wrote.
“IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE.”
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