Fri Jan 24 02:39:55 UTC 2025: ## Trump Urges Putin to Negotiate with Ukraine, Threatens Further Sanctions
**Washington, D.C., January 24, 2025** – U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a peace deal with Ukraine, warning of increased tariffs and sanctions if the conflict isn’t resolved. In a social media post on Wednesday and subsequent remarks to reporters, President Trump stated that he believes Putin should “make a deal” and expressed a willingness to meet with the Russian leader immediately.
Trump asserted that he has always maintained a good relationship with Putin but that the ongoing war in Ukraine is “ridiculous.” He cited the devastating human cost, claiming that Russia has suffered losses of 800,000 soldiers, and that the battlefield is unprecedented since World War II. He also claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is prepared to negotiate.
While acknowledging uncertainty about whether sanctions would compel Putin to the negotiating table, Trump reiterated his threat to impose high tariffs and further sanctions on Russia if a ceasefire agreement isn’t reached soon. This escalation of pressure comes after initial warnings issued earlier in the week. The President emphasized his commitment to ending the conflict, stating that the loss of life is unacceptable.
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