President Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war with Ukraine, saying, "We can do it the easy way, or the hard way."

"I’m not looking to hurt Russia. I love the Russian people, and always had a very good relationship with President Putin - and this despite the Radical Left’s Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX," Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday. "We must never forget that Russia helped us win the Second World War, losing almost 60,000,000 lives in the process.

"All of that being said, I’m going to do Russia, whose Economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big FAVOR. Settle now, and STOP this ridiculous War! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE. 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 United States, and various other participating countries. Let’s get this war, which never would have started if I were President, over with! We can do it the easy way, or the hard way - and the easy way is always better. It’s time to 'MAKE A DEAL.' NO MORE LIVES SHOULD BE LOST!!!"

Trump has repeatedly promised to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has been ongoing for about three years. He has said he would meet with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to make a deal.

Putin had made comments about Trump during his inauguration on Monday, the New York Post reported.

“We hear the statements from Trump and members of his team about their desire to restore direct contact with Russia, which were halted through no fault of ours by the outgoing administration,” Putin said. 

“We also hear his statements about the need to do everything to prevent World War III. We certainly welcome such an approach and congratulate the U.S. president-elect on taking office,” he added.