Trump threatened to impose new sanctions and duties on Russian exports to the US
US President Donald Trump has threatened to raise taxes and impose new sanctions on Russian exports to the United States if Russia does not soon make a "deal" to settle the Ukrainian conflict. He made the corresponding statement on January 22.
"If we don't make a 'deal,' and soon, I will have no choice but to impose high taxes, tariffs and sanctions on everything Russia sells to the United States and various other [European Union (EU) member states - Ed]," the US president wrote on his Truth Social network.
Trump also added that he does not want to harm Russia in any way and loves its people. According to him, he has always had good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "Deal" Trump called "the favor he is doing for the Russian Federation".
The American leader in addition emphasized that Russia's contribution to the victory in the Second World War should not be forgotten.
Earlier in the day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the conflict in Ukraine should be resolved on the basis of reliable legal guarantees. According to him, the Russian side familiarized its colleagues with the latest developments around the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict and emphasized its commitment to achieving the goals of the special operation and eliminating the root causes of the crisis.
Prior to that, on January 20, Putin said that Moscowwas open to a dialog with the new administration of the US president on the Ukrainian conflict. At the same time, the goal of the settlement is not a brief truce, but a long-term peace based on respect for people's legitimate interests, he emphasized.
On the same day, Trump was inaugurated, taking the oath of office and becoming the 47th president of the United States. Afterward, he reiterated that he plans to meet with Putin as soon as possible to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.
The special operation to protect Donbass, the start of which was announced on February 24, 2022, is ongoing. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the worsening situation in the region.
