Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for Russia to “settle now” and end the war in Ukraine, warning of severe taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russian exports if a resolution is not reached soon.
“I’m not trying to harm Russia. I have always admired the Russian people and have had a good relationship with President Putin, despite the Radical Left’s ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ hoax,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We must remember Russia’s role in helping us win World War II, sacrificing nearly 60 million lives in the process.”
He continued, “That said, I’m prepared to do Russia—and President Putin—a major favor. End this senseless war now! It’s only going to get worse. If no deal is reached soon, I will have no choice but to impose high taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russian goods exported to the United States and other nations. Let’s end this war, which never would have started if I were president. We can resolve this the easy way or the hard way, but the easy way is always better. No more lives should be lost!”
The post came a day after Trump hinted that additional sanctions on Russia were “likely” if President Vladimir Putin refused to engage in peace talks. When asked by reporters at the White House if further sanctions were on the table, Trump responded, “Sounds likely,” without elaborating.
When questioned about whether the conflict should be frozen, Trump remarked, “This war should never have started. If you had a competent president, which you didn’t, this wouldn’t have happened. The war in Ukraine would not exist if I were president.”
He criticized President Joe Biden, asserting that Putin “disrespected” Biden’s leadership.
On the issue of continued U.S. arms support for Ukraine, Trump said his administration would “review” the situation, adding, “We’re talking to [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy. We’ll also be speaking with President Putin soon, and we’ll see how things unfold.” He also stressed that European nations should contribute more to supporting Ukraine.
Trump promised to bring an end to the war, stating that he would hold talks with both Putin and Zelenskyy, though he did not provide a timeline or specific details. “President Zelenskyy wants peace. He’s been very clear about that. But it takes two to tango,” he said.
Asked when he would meet Putin, Trump responded, “Anytime they want, I’ll meet.”
He highlighted the devastating toll of the war, accusing the U.S. of underreporting casualties. “Millions of lives are being lost. It’s a brutal situation,” Trump said. “On the frontlines, it’s a flat terrain where nothing stops bullets except human bodies. Young soldiers are paying the price. Russia has likely lost 800,000 soldiers, while Ukraine has lost 600,000 to 700,000. I believe the real numbers are lower than what’s being reported.”
Trump reiterated his stance that the war never would have started under his leadership and stressed the urgency of negotiations to prevent further loss of life.
