Donald Trump Issues Ukraine Warning to 'Smart' Putin
NewsweekJan 22
Trump Warns Putin to End Ukraine War or Face Tariffs and More Sanctions
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Above: US Pres. Donald Trump pictured in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025. Image copyright: Jabin Botsford/Contributor/The Washington Post via Getty Images
The Facts
US Pres. Donald Trump warned Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that he'll face high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions if he failed to quickly make a deal to end the Ukraine war.
In a post on Truth Social on Wednesday, Trump said: "I'm not looking to hurt Russia. I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President Putin," adding that the US must never forget that Russia helped it and its allies to win the Second World War.
"All of that being said," he continued, "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."
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump is a friend to the Russian people but will be forced to take action in the form of tariffs and sanctions if Russian Pres. Putin refuses to cooperate to bring a quick and lasting end to the war in Ukraine.
Pro-Russia narrative
The Kremlin sees nothing new in the rhetoric deployed by US Pres. Trump. It was a tactic of the previous administration and Trump, too, heavily sanctioned Russia in his first presidential term.
