President Donald Trump delivered a pointed ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, demanding an immediate resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. In a post on his platform Truth Social, Trump warned of severe economic consequences if Russia fails to negotiate a peace deal. “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,” he wrote.
The ultimatum comes as Trump faces mounting pressure to fulfill his campaign promise to swiftly end the nearly three-year-long conflict. Despite earlier claims that he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office, the complex realities of geopolitics have necessitated a more aggressive approach. The administration has also hinted at secondary sanctions targeting nations like India and China that continue to purchase Russian oil, aiming to economically isolate Moscow and force a resolution.
Russia’s initial response has been cautious, with UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy signalling a willingness to engage in discussions but emphasising the need to address the broader geopolitical issues fuelling the conflict. Analysts note that Trump’s strategy of using economic leverage marks a bold shift in U.S. foreign policy, underscoring the administration’s focus on swift and decisive action to end the war.
As global leaders await Russia’s next move, the international community is closely watching how Trump’s economic pressure campaign will unfold. Whether it succeeds in bringing about a peaceful resolution remains uncertain, but the ultimatum has raised the stakes for both Washington and Moscow in one of the most significant geopolitical crises of recent years.
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