US President Donald Trump has asked his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to stop the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In February 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, escalating tensions that had been building between the two countries since 2014.
The war has led to the displacement of many Ukrainians and numerous casualties on both sides with devasting impacts on Ukraine.
Since the invasion, many countries and international organisations have imposed sanctions on Russia in an attempt to end the war.
In a post on his Truth app on Wednesday, Trump, who was sworn in as the 47th US president on Monday, said the war would not have started if he was in the office at the time.
Trump called on Putin to “make a deal” to end the conflict, warning of severe economic consequences for Russia if the war continues.
“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,” Trump wrote.
“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!!!”
Donald Trump,
Vladimir Putin,
Ukraine war
