Russia’s Putin calls Trump’s tariff and sanctions threats “smart and pragmatic”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has described US President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs and sanctions against Russia as “smart and pragmatic.”

Speaking to a Russian TV journalist on Jan. 24, Putin declared his openness to a meeting with Trump to address issues such as the war in Ukraine and the volatility of energy prices.

The Russian president said that he is optimistic direct talks with Trump could lead to mutually beneficial outcomes, emphasizing the need for “calm and realistic discussions.”

Putin then criticized Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, pointing to a decree Zelenskiy signed that prohibits Ukraine from negotiating with him. This, according to Putin, complicates the possibility of peace talks.

“We are ready to talk,” he said in the interview, but added that progress depends heavily on the choices made by the current US administration.

NATO praises Trump’s push for sanctions

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte was also quick to applaud Trump’s call for tougher sanctions and tariffs on Russia. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Rutte said, “I was very, very happy with Trump’s position to put more sanctions on Russia. The Russian economy is in terrible shape, and these measures will help squeeze it further.”

He also urged European nations to follow Trump’s lead, encouraging them to increase their economic pressure on Moscow to deplete Russia’s war funds.

Rutte pointed out the importance of a sustainable resolution to the war, adding that any peace deal should prevent Russia from regaining its territorial ambitions.

He warned that Russia’s allies, including China and North Korea, would celebrate a weak settlement, which would embolden Moscow to attempt even more land grabs.

“We must reach a position where Russia will never again dare to take even one square kilometer of Ukraine,” Rutte said.

On Jan. 22nd, president Trump issued a warning through his Truth Social platform: “If no deal is reached to end the war, we’ll have no choice but to impose high tariffs, taxes, and sanctions on anything Russia sells to the US or our allies.”

He added, “Let’s get this war—one that never would’ve started if I were president—over with. We can do it the easy way or the hard way.”

Financial giants weigh in on Trump’s tariff strategy

Wall Street leaders have chimed in on Trump’s escalating trade threats, offering varied perspectives. At the Davos event, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon acknowledged concerns about inflation and trade wars but said tariffs could be effective if used strategically.

“If it’s a little inflationary but good for national security, so be it,” he said. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon suggested in an interview with CNBC that Trump’s tariffs might serve as leverage to renegotiate global trade agreements.

He added that how quickly and thoughtfully these measures are implemented would determine their effectiveness. Trump’s tariff threats extend beyond Russia. He has promised to impose a 10% levy on Chinese goods and a 25% tariff on products from Canada and Mexico.

The US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a key deal negotiated during Trump’s first term, is up for review in 2026. Trump has also accused the European Union of unfair trade practices, pointing to the $214 billion trade deficit the US recorded with the EU in 2024.

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