PRESIDENT Trump has slapped Vladimir Putin with an ultimatum to sign a deal to end the “ridiculous” war in Ukraine – or face the consequences.
Trump threw the gauntlet squarely at Putin’s feet, threatening: “We can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
Trump warned of a tirade of taxes, tariffs and sanctions on everything sold from Russia to the US and other countries if Putin does not co-operate with peace talks.
In a post on his platform Truth Social, the new President said: “I’m not looking to hurt Russia.
“I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President Putin.
He continued: “All of that being said, I’m going to do Russia, whose economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big favour.
“Settle now, and stop this ridiculous war”, adding that 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.”
He ended his post by saying: “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.”
Russia responded swiftly to Trump’s ultimatum.
Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s ambassador to the UN, said the Kremlin would need to hear specific details from Trump about any deal before proceeding.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Trump must avoid Hitler-style peace deal with Putin – or tyrant will spark World War Three, says ex-general” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”pV1KxHf2t” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6367270046112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]He said: “It’s not merely the question of ending the war.
“It’s first and foremost the question of addressing the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis.”
Dmitry continued: “So we have to see what does the ‘deal’ mean in President Trump’s understanding.
“He is not responsible for what the US has been doing in Ukraine since 2014, making it ‘anti-Russia’ and preparing for the war with us, but it is in his power now to stop this malicious policy.”
During the election campaign Trump repeatedly vowed to end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours”, and since taking office he has been criticised for missing his deadline.
Ukrainian soldiers vowed to fight on after it became clear Trump could not end the fighting within a day.
But the President’s fierce threat today shows he is serious about swinging the axe down on Putin’s war by ramping up economic sanctions.
The Biden administration imposed numerous sanctions on Russia earlier this month, including on its oil and energy sectors, in an attempt to stem Putin’s money stream.
They covered two major Russian petroleum companies – Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas – which export natural gas and are involved in Russia’s energy sector Arctic expansion.
Trump has not spoken to Putin since being sworn in on Monday, but the leaders are thought to be arranging a conversation.
This is not the first time since coming to power that Trump has taken aim at Putin’s war.
Shortly after taking office he said: “[Putin] has to make a deal. I think he is destroying Russia by not making a deal.
“I think Russia is going to be in big trouble. He can’t be thrilled that he’s not doing so well.
“I mean, he’s grinding it out, but most people thought the war would be over in about a week, and now it’s been three years, right?”
Trump first demanded a ceasefire in early 2022, and since then both Ukraine and Russia have suffered huge losses over almost three years of fighting.
The President’s threats came after one of Putin’s propagandists sent a chilling warning to British mums – threatening to slaughter their sons.
Sadistic Russian TV host Vladimir Solovyov said that if the West sent peacekeepers to Ukraine as part of a proposed ceasefire plan, “war will come to your homes”.
