Trump Threatens Tariffs, Sanctions If Russia Doesn’t Accept Ukraine War Truce Deal

The Trump administration is working to set up talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to begin negotiations for a Ukraine cease-fire.

President-elect Donald Trump attends inauguration ceremonies in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 20, 2025. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs and sanctions on the Russian economy on Jan. 22, in his opening presidential push for a quick end to the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.

“I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and [Russian President Vladimir Putin], a very big FAVOR. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social account. “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.”