Trump warns Russia: Negotiate or face harsher sanctions
If we do not reach an agreement soon, I will have no choice but to impose high taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russia, announced U.S. President Donald Trump, referring to the war in Ukraine. Russia has responded to the statements from the new U.S. president.
During Thursday's press conference, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasised that Russia remains ready for dialogue based on mutual respect.
"Of course, we are very carefully observing all the rhetoric, all the statements. We are carefully recording all the nuances," he noted, referring to Donald Trump's recent statements. He added that Russia is still waiting for an official signal from the new U.S. administration to begin talks.
"I intend to do Russia a great favour"
"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!!!" he wrote (original spelling).
Trump noted in his post that he loves the Russians and has always had good relations with Putin, despite the "fraud" of the left, as he referred to the controversy regarding his team's contacts with Russians. He also mentioned that Russia "helped us win Second World War, losing almost 60,000,000 million people."
Trump issues an ultimatum
The new U.S. president, already on Tuesday, stated that imposing new sanctions on Russia is "likely" if Vladimir Putin refuses to negotiate. He previously asserted that Putin is "destroying the country" by refusing talks, estimating Russian losses at 800,000 to one million soldiers. He also emphasised that while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready for talks, he does not know if Putin wants the same. However, he announced that he will soon have a conversation with him, affirming he is ready whenever Putin wants.
Despite the threat of imposing tariffs on goods from Russia, the United States does not import many Russian products and has imposed an embargo on the import of Russian resources such as oil, aluminium, gold, diamonds, nickel, and some other metals, as well as uranium.
