Pro-Kremlin TV pundits want to send a message to the West after Donald Trump told Vladimir Putin to expect financial ruin if his "ridiculous" war rages on.

United States President Donald Trump has threatened to hit Russia with taxes, tariffs and sanctions if the almost three-year long conflict with Ukraine does not end.

Putin has said repeatedly that he is prepared to negotiate an end to the war, which first began in 2014, but that Ukraine would have to accept the reality of Russian territorial gains, which are currently about 20% of its land. He also refuses to accept Ukraine joining Nato, the military alliance of Western countries.

President Donald Trump has threatened further sanctions against Russia if Vladimir Putin did not agree to negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, it has been reported. Trump said he was talking to Ukrainian president Volodymr Zelensky and that the U.

Putin's comments show a sharp change in the Kremlin's stance back in November when they refused to congratulate Trump on his victory, stating the US being "unfriendly" to Russia as the reason.

President Trump said Russian President Vladimir Putin is “destroying Russia” with its nearly three-year war in Ukraine, adding he hopes the Kremlin leader is open to making a deal to end the conflict.