U.S. President Donald Trump has once again urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to bring the Ukraine war to an end, warning that Russia’s economy is collapsing under the weight of Ukrainian strikes and Western sanctions.
According to President Trump, Ukraine’s recent drone and missile attacks on Russian oil refineries have dealt a severe blow to the country’s energy sector the backbone of its economy. The resulting fuel shortages have caused soaring gas prices across Russia, with long queues forming at gas stations.
Speaking at the White House alongside Argentina’s President Javier Milei, Trump said:
“Putin has got to really settle this war. They have long lines waiting for gasoline in Russia right now. His economy is going to collapse and I’d like to see him do well. I had a good relationship with Vladimir Putin, but he just doesn’t want to end that war.”
The U.S. President called Russia’s handling of the invasion a “disaster,” saying Moscow “should have won that war in one week.” He added that the ongoing conflict now approaching its fourth year has made Putin “look very bad.”
Recent reports suggest that nearly 486,000 Russian businesses have shut down since the start of the war, highlighting the depth of the economic crisis. Trump noted that Western intelligence agencies estimate Russian casualties at around one million, while U.S. assessments put the figure even higher.
In a notable shift from his earlier position, Trump referred to Russia as “a paper tiger” and expressed confidence that Ukraine could reclaim all its territory. “Who would have thought Ukraine could fight Russia for four years to a standstill?” he asked.
The President is scheduled to meet Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday to discuss possible new U.S. military aid including Tomahawk cruise missiles. These long-range weapons, with a reach of over 1,500 miles, could put Moscow and key Russian infrastructure within striking distance.
On Sunday, Trump hinted at the potential arms transfer, saying, “Maybe I’ll talk to him. If the war isn’t settled, I might send them the Tomahawks.”
However, the Kremlin has issued stern warnings, saying any U.S. move to provide long-range missiles would irreparably damage U.S.–Russia relations and significantly escalate global tensions.
As the war drags on and economic pain deepens, Trump’s message to Putin is clear: the costs of continuing this conflict are only growing and time may no longer be on Russia’s side.
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