US President Donald Trump has stated that the war in Ukraine must end immediately and expressed his willingness to confront Vladimir Putin on the matter. In an interview with Fox News, Trump warned that if Russia refuses to negotiate, he will impose “huge tariffs, duties, and sanctions.”
“I love the Russians, I don’t want to do that, but if they don’t settle this war soon, almost immediately, I will,” Trump said.
Trump claimed that Ukraine is ready for a peace deal, asserting that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has “had enough.” However, he criticised both Putin and Zelenskyy, stating that Zelenskyy “shouldn’t have allowed this war to happen,” and describing Ukraine as fighting “a much bigger entity.”
The president also addressed US military aid to Ukraine, noting that the United States has provided far more support than Europe. He questioned the necessity of continuing such aid, despite acknowledging the bravery of Ukrainians.
Trump blamed his predecessor, Joe Biden, for contributing to the war, citing energy policies that he claims enriched Putin. He reiterated his belief that, under his leadership, Russia would not have attacked Ukraine. However, he omitted the fact that the war began in 2014 under Barack Obama’s presidency and persisted in a smaller-scale conflict during Trump’s first term.
The president also made unverified claims about casualties, stating that Russia has lost 850,000 troops and Ukraine 700,000 — figures that far exceed reported estimates. According to The Wall Street Journal, Ukraine’s losses were around 80,000 as of September 2024.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy continues to advocate for a diplomatic resolution, emphasising the need for robust security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression. While NATO membership remains Ukraine’s preferred option, Zelenskyy is open to alternatives such as the deployment of foreign peacekeepers until full accession can be achieved.