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President Donald Trump has threatened to impose severe sanctions and tariffs on Russia if it does not negotiate a quick end to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Some shit you should know before you read: Since the war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has seized roughly 20% of Ukrainian territory, including key regions like Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. After years of brutal fighting and heavy casualties on both sides, the conflict has reached a basic standstill, with no significant territorial shifts in recent months. Ukraine has maintained that any end to the war must include the complete restoration of its territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian forces, and reparations for the extensive damage caused by the invasion. In contrast, Russia has indicated it will only agree to a settlement if it retains control of the territory it currently occupies, prevents Ukraine from joining NATO, and imposes restrictions on the future size and capabilities of Ukraine’s military.  

What’s going on now: In a statement on his Truth Social account, Trump threatened to impose “high levels” of sanctions and tariffs on Russia if President Vladimir Putin does not agree to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine. He wrote, “I’m not looking to hurt Russia. 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. 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! 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. 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.” NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!”

In addition to calling on Putin to end the war, Trump has also urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to play a more active role in mediating a settlement in Ukraine. Trump revealed that during a recent conversation with Xi, he pressed China to use its significant influence over Russia to bring the conflict to a close.

This all comes shortly after President Xi and President Putin held a call to discuss their partnership and the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to a readout by both countries, during the conversation both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, with Putin describing their relationship as built on “friendship, mutual trust, and support” despite external pressure from the West. They also discussed the war in Ukraine, with Putin stressing that any resolution must “respect Russian interests,” while Xi reiterated China’s readiness to work with Russia in response to “external uncertainties.”