Washington, Jan. 23 -- US President Donald Trump told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to make a deal to end the grinding Ukraine war "now" or face tariff hikes and more sanctions. "If we don't make a 'deal', and soon, I have no other choice but to put high levels of Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the US, and various other participating countries," Trump said on his Truth Social network.

The US President said he was "not looking to hurt Russia" and had "always had a very good relationship with President Putin," a leader for whom he has expressed admiration in the past".

"All of that being said, I'm going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Settle now, an...