Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, threatening significant tariffs and additional sanctions if the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is not resolved.
Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that his efforts to push for a settlement would be a “very big favor” to Russia and its leader.
The former U.S. president has previously claimed that he could broker a resolution to Russia’s large-scale invasion, which began in February 2022, in just one day.
While Russia has yet to respond to Trump’s recent remarks, senior officials in Moscow have indicated there is limited time to engage with the incoming U.S. administration. Putin has repeatedly expressed willingness to negotiate an end to the conflict, which traces back to its initial phase in 2014. However, he maintains that Ukraine must acknowledge Russia’s territorial gains—currently around 20% of Ukraine’s land—and abandon its aspirations to join NATO, the Western military alliance.
Ukraine, on the other hand, has been steadfast in its refusal to surrender any territory. Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has hinted at the possibility of temporarily relinquishing occupied regions, Kyiv remains resolute in its stance.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Trump disclosed plans to speak with Putin “very soon.” He also suggested that if Russia remains unwilling to negotiate, further sanctions against Moscow are “likely.”
But in his Truth Social post the next day, he went further: “I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR,” he wrote.
“Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. If we don’t make a ‘deal’, and soon, I have 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.”
Continuing, he wrote: “Let’s get this war, which never would have started if I were President, over with! We can do it the easy way, or the hard way – and the easy way is always better. It’s time to ‘MAKE A DEAL’.”
Kurt Volker, former U.S. special representative for Ukraine, has weighed in on Donald Trump’s recent warnings to Russia, stating that the threat of harsher sanctions sends a clear message to Vladimir Putin that the situation “is going to get worse, not better.”
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Volker emphasized the need to encourage Putin to consider a ceasefire. “We should incentivize Putin to say, ‘OK, it’s time actually to have a ceasefire,'” he remarked.
Russia’s deputy UN ambassador, Dmitry Polyanskiy, responded by telling Reuters that the Kremlin would require clarity on Trump’s specific demands for a peace deal before making any decisions.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has outlined his vision for securing peace in the region. Addressing the World Economic Forum, he suggested that any agreement would require the deployment of at least 200,000 peacekeepers. Speaking to Bloomberg, Zelensky stressed that U.S. troops would need to be part of such a force to serve as an effective deterrent against Russian aggression.
The situation remains complex, with Trump’s statements adding another layer to the ongoing debate about resolving the conflict.
“It can’t be without the United States… Even if some European friends think it can be, no, it will not be,” he said, adding that no-one else would risk such a move without the US.
While Ukraine’s leaders may welcome Donald Trump’s stronger stance against Russia—echoing their belief that Putin only responds to strength—the sentiment in Kyiv suggests that actions, not words, are what truly matter.
Trump has yet to provide details on the potential economic measures he might impose, leaving questions about the timing and targets of such penalties. Since 2022, Russian exports to the U.S. have already seen a steep decline, and numerous sanctions and restrictions are currently in place.
At present, the primary Russian exports to the United States include phosphate-based fertilizers and platinum. Despite Trump’s warnings, further tightening of these already restricted trade channels would require careful consideration to ensure maximum impact without unintended consequences.
Kyiv remains watchful, emphasizing that tangible actions from the U.S. will be crucial in shaping the next phase of the conflict and its resolution.
Speaking to the BBC, Volker said the Russian economy could take “substantial” damage if Trump chose to preserve or strengthen the toughest US sanctions so far, which he said were only levied as Trump’s predecessor Joe Biden left office. “Russia really didn’t feel as much pressure as they could,” he commented.
Donald Trump’s comments about imposing tougher sanctions on Russia have drawn sharp criticism from Ukrainians on social media, many of whom view such measures as an insufficient response to Moscow’s aggression. The broader question remains: what, if anything, is Vladimir Putin willing to negotiate in potential peace talks?
In Moscow, there are subtle signs that the Kremlin may be preparing Russians to accept a scaled-back vision of “victory.” Pro-Putin TV editor Margarita Simonyan has started floating the idea of halting the conflict along the current frontlines, which would leave parts of the four Ukrainian regions Putin illegally claimed as Russian territory in Kyiv’s control.
This pragmatic shift has sparked outrage among Russian hardliners, including the so-called “Z” bloggers, who see any concession as a betrayal of Russia’s goals.
In a BBC interview, Trump’s former Ukraine envoy, Kurt Volker, expressed skepticism about the possibility of a comprehensive peace deal. He suggested that the U.S. should prioritize ending the fighting and deterring further aggression from Russia.
On Wednesday, Trump’s social media post doubled down on his threats of tariffs and tighter sanctions, framing them as a tough-love gesture toward the Russian people. He also emphasized respect for Soviet losses during World War Two—a sensitive subject in Russia—but misstated historical facts, mistakenly attributing the Soviet Union’s sacrifices solely to Russia, overlooking the significant contributions of Ukrainians and other Soviet states.
Trump, who once expressed understanding of Russia’s concerns about Ukraine joining NATO, appears to be softening his stance toward Kyiv. However, his position is met with skepticism in Ukraine, where years of conflict with Russia and broken peace deals have tempered optimism. After 11 years of war, Ukrainians remain wary, focusing on action over rhetoric.
