Staff Reports
Donald Trump is back in the White House, and it seems he’s itching for a showdown with Russia that’s more stimulating than anything offered up by the political drama of the past few years. After just two days post-re-election, Trump already managed to get on the horn with Russian President Vladimir Putin for a delightful 20-minute chat. One can only imagine the coffee-fueled banter that went on, as Trump urged his old buddy not to ramp up the hostilities in Ukraine. It’s safe to say things are looking less bleak under Trump than they ever did during the dreary Biden administration.
Reports suggest that Putin has started to play nice—quite the change from the bellowing bear he was before. In what appears to be a public relations stunt of sorts, Putin expressed a desire for “lasting peace” in Ukraine after his conversation with Trump. Bravo, as they say! He even grandly proclaimed that peace should respect everyone’s “legitimate interests.” For a Russian leader caught in international ire, this could be his idea of a charm offensive, and frankly, it appears to be working, at least on the superficial level.
Trump: If Putin doesn't make a deal "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."
Threats. pic.twitter.com/iCB2P7WFpk
— ₦₳V𝚜𝚝é𝚟𝚊 🇷🇺 ᴢ (@Navsteva) January 22, 2025
As Trump discussed the current mess on his social media platform, Truth Social, he put forth an amusing yet astute observation: he simply loves the Russian people and has always had a “fantastic” rapport with Putin. This sounds like a classic Trump move—because who doesn’t love an underdog story involving foreign dictatorships? He dismissed the long-winded “Russia, Russia, Russia” nonsense peddled by the left as just that: nonsense, while positioning himself as the potential hero capable of making things right.
Trump doesn’t mince words when he zeroes in on what needs to change. He declared that he’s willing to do a “favor” for Russia: he wants them to hit the brakes on their reckless antics in Ukraine and make a move toward peace now. With his characteristic flourish, he threatened to impose taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on everything Russia sells to the U.S. if they fail to comply. This isn’t exactly subtle, but it showcases his belief that a little economic cudgel can go a long way in getting a nation back in line.
It appears that, in his mind, failure to negotiate will lead to a disaster that’s not just bad for Russia, but a calamity for the world. Trump isn’t just casting blame; he’s offering a decisive ultimatum: stop the war now or face the music. This is the guy who famously declared that the war in Ukraine wouldn’t have happened had he been in charge—a bold claim, but to his supporters, it rings true. With a personality that combines bravado and a penchant for bold deals, Trump positions himself as the peace negotiator that the world needs—whether the establishment agrees or not. As the ex-President ruffles feathers in the political world, he just might become an unexpected force for change, proving once again that his approach might just be what’s needed to deal with global bullies, especially when the current guy in charge has clearly dropped the ball.
