'Taxes, tariffs, sanctions': How Trump is shifting his tone on Putin and the Russia-Ukraine war

As Donald Trump embarks on his second term as President of the United States, his policies and rhetoric toward Russia and its President Vladimir Putin are being closely watches as his claim that he could end the Russia-Ukraine conflict within 24 hours of taking office expired.

Trump’s remarks and actions regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine have been a focal point, reflecting both his unconventional approach to diplomacy and his deeply polarising style.

How Trump’s tone was towards Putin

Trump’s relationship with Putin has long been marked by a mix of admiration and pragmatism. In February 2022, just before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Trump described Putin’s actions as “genius” and “savvy.” Speaking on “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show,” Trump praised Putin’s declaration of independence for parts of Ukraine, calling it a brilliant move.

“I went in yesterday and there was a television screen, and I said, ‘This is genius.’ Putin declares a big portion of the Ukraine — of Ukraine — Putin declares it as independent. Oh, that’s wonderful,” Trump said. He added, “He used the word ‘independent’ and ‘we’re gonna go out and we’re gonna help keep peace.’ You gotta say that’s pretty savvy.”

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At the time, Trump’s remarks drew sharp criticism, particularly as the invasion prompted widespread condemnation and led to unprecedented sanctions from the US and its European allies.

Critics argued that Trump’s warm words for Putin reflected a pattern of undercutting traditional alliances while showing leniency toward adversaries.

This praise for Putin was consistent with Trump’s earlier rhetoric. During his first term, he frequently highlighted his positive relationship with the Russian leader.

He famously rejected US intelligence findings about Russian interference in the 2016 election, stating he trusted Putin’s denials. “I knew Putin very well. I got along with him great. He liked me. I liked him,” Trump remarked at the tome, adding, “He’s a tough cookie, got a lot of great charm and a lot of pride. But the way he’s acting now is different.”

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How Trump’s tone changed towards Putin

Fast forward to 2025, and Trump’s tone has shifted significantly. On his Truth Social platform, Trump issued an ultimatum to Putin , threatening severe economic penalties if Russia does not agree to a settlement to end the war in Ukraine.

“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,” Trump posted.

Trump’s remarks come amid a landscape where Russia’s economy is already under immense pressure. US imports from Russia have plummeted from $29.6 billion in 2021 to $2.8 billion in 2024. Once significant categories like petroleum products, semi-finished steel, and pig iron have fallen to zero, largely due to sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Despite these numbers, Russia continues to export fertilizers, uranium, and precious metals like palladium and rhodium as the US Trade attorney Tim Brightbill suggested that further sanctions could target Russian wood products used in furniture manufacturing via intermediaries like China and Vietnam.

Trump’s threats echo his use of tariffs in the past to achieve non-trade objectives. During his first term, he employed tariffs against Mexico, Canada, and China to address issues like immigration and drug trafficking.

Can Trump spearhead a quick resolution

Trump has repeatedly claimed that he could end the war in Ukraine swiftly, even within 24 hours of taking office. On the campaign trail, he promised to “stop this ridiculous war” immediately if given another term. “They’re dying, Russians and Ukrainians. I want them to stop dying. And I’ll have that done—I’ll have that done in 24 hours,” Trump said in May 2023.

However, his promise remains unfulfilled , and the conflict’s complexities suggest a resolution is far from straightforward.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently disclosed that the war has resulted in over 198,000 Russian soldiers killed and more than 550,000 wounded. Ukrainian forces have suffered significant casualties as well, with tens of thousands dead and hundreds of thousands injured.

Russia’s deputy UN Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy has expressed skepticism about Trump’s ambitions for a swift deal. “It’s not merely the question of ending the war,” Polyanskiy said. “It’s first and foremost the question of addressing root causes of the Ukrainian crisis.”

However, sources have told Reuters that Putin has grown increasingly concerned about distortions in Russia’s wartime economy as the the country’s war in Ukraine drags on.

How Trump still remains cautious

Even as Trump toughens his stance on Russia , he continues to balance his critiques with moments of praise. He has acknowledged Russia’s sacrifices during World War II, stating, “We must never forget that Russia helped us win the Second World War, losing almost 60,000,000 lives in the process.”

However, Trump’s figures have been widely disputed, with experts estimating Soviet losses at closer to 24 million.

While Trump’s supporters view him as a potential peacemaker, critics remain wary of his previous praise for authoritarian leaders and his inconsistent rhetoric.

With inputs from agencies