US President Donald Trump has threatened Russia with taxes, tariffs, and sanctions in an effort to force a deal to end the war in Ukraine.
In a post to his social media platform TruthSocial, Trump said Russia's economy was "failing" and urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to "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.".
During the campaign, Trump frequently depicted himself as a "peacemaker" and, at one point, said he could end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours.
According to Fox News, Trump has sent his special envoy to Ukraine, a retired US Army Lieutenant General, with a goal of ending the war in 100 days.
"Let's set it at 100 days and move all the way back and figure a way we can do this in the near term to make sure that the solution is solid, it's sustainable, and that this war ends so that we stop the carnage," he said.
"I think that's going to be very, very important to do. It's going to be important for our national security. It's a part of our vital national interests, and it's also good for Europe as well and the globe as well."
Following Trump's inauguration on Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a televised security council meeting that he wanted to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine.
"We see the statements by the newly elected president of the United States and members of his team about the desire to restore direct contacts with Russia," Putin said.
"We also hear his statement about the need to do everything possible to prevent World War Three. We of course welcome this attitude and congratulate the elected president of the United States of America on taking office."
February 24 of this year would mark three years since Russia began it's invasion of Ukraine.
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