President Donald Trump is warning Russian President Vladimir Putin that he must end the war with Ukraine or face stiff penalties from the U.S., the UK Daily Mail reported. Trump made this known in a post to his Truth Social Wednesday.
Trump got right down to business following his inauguration Monday, including trying to wrap up the conflict that's been going on for three years. "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," Trump warned.
"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," Trump added.
During Trump's first term, he was accused of having too cozy of a relationship with Putin. However, it was under then-President Joe Biden's watch that Putin invaded Ukraine, and Congress has been scrambling to funnel taxpayer dollars there ever since.
Trump is fed up with this ludicrous arrangement and is ready to get tough. "I’m not looking to hurt Russia," Trump began his post.
"I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President Putin - and this despite the Radical Left’s Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX. We must never forget that Russia helped us win the Second World War, losing almost 60,000,000 lives in the process," the president went on.
"All of that being said, I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War!" Trump implored Putin.
Trump has also said he is in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about cutting off arms supplies for this conflict. "We're talking to Zelensky. We're going to be talking with President Putin very soon, and we'll see what, how it all happens," Trump told reporters when asked about the conflict.
The Russia-Ukraine war spanned most of Biden's presidency, with Congress funneling some $65.9 billion to Ukraine since February 2022 when the conflict began. Then, shortly before Trump took office, Putin was reportedly in talks with the newly elected president to end the conflict.
According to Fox News, Putin claimed to be coming from a place of strength but did confirm he was open to an agreement. "We have always said that we are ready for negotiations and compromises," Putin said.
"Soon, those Ukrainians who want to fight will run out. In my opinion, soon there will be no one left who wants to fight," the Russian president added.
"We are ready, but the other side needs to be ready for both negotiations and compromises," Putin said. With the Russian president so willing to speak like this before Trump was officially in the White House, it seems only a matter of time until he caves.
Trump won the hearts and votes of the American people because he is a strong leader like no other. What Biden couldn't do in three years will likely be wrapped up shortly with Trump at the helm.
