Washington, D.C., Jan 24, (V7N) - President Donald Trump has given Russian President Vladimir Putin an ultimatum: negotiate to end the Ukraine war or face severe economic consequences. Trump emphasized that he would impose taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on Russian goods sold to the United States, and hinted at further penalties for countries that do business with Russia. He called for a peaceful resolution, urging, "No more lives should be lost!"
 
Trump’s comments followed a previous warning that sanctions on Russia could be imposed if Putin refused to enter peace talks. While Trump had previously pledged to quickly end the conflict, he acknowledged that the situation was more complex than he had anticipated. He blamed the challenges partly on the restrictions on negotiating directly with Putin due to the ongoing U.S. administration under Joe Biden.
 
Trump reiterated that he had spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who expressed a strong desire for peace. Trump stated he was willing to meet with Putin at any time, stressing that peace required cooperation from both sides. He also expressed frustration with the European Union's contribution to Ukraine, suggesting they should send more financial support.
 
While Trump has remained hopeful about ending the war, he has refrained from specifying how a ceasefire could work or how he would resolve the conflict. Discussions about the future include possible compromises such as freezing the war along current lines or delaying NATO membership for Ukraine.
 
International experts remain divided on Trump's approach, with some expressing concerns that forcing Ukraine to cede territory could leave the conflict unresolved, allowing Russia to regroup and pose future threats to Europe.
 
Trump’s administration is preparing for potential discussions with Putin, though it is unclear when or where these talks might take place. Meanwhile, the European Union and the U.S. continue to focus on military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine, with no immediate solution in sight.
 
The ongoing situation is one of the most critical challenges for global security, and the path to peace remains uncertain.
 
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