President Trump shook the world Friday morning with a direct ultimatum to Russia over its war in Ukraine. “Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED,” he wrote on Truth Social. He added a blunt call: “To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!”

This isn’t idle talk—Trump’s already cut the cord on Ukraine aid. Earlier this week, his administration paused military financing and intelligence sharing, a move that’s left Kyiv scrambling after relying on U.S. support to counter Russia’s onslaught. Conservatives see this as Trump flexing muscle to bend both sides to America’s will.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry didn’t respond to requests for comment, but their silence speaks volumes. Hours before Trump’s post, Moscow unleashed a massive overnight barrage—67 missiles and 194 drones—slamming Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, wounding at least 10, including a child. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko called it a deliberate bid to “plunge us into darkness and cold.”

Trump’s threat flips the script. After halting aid to pressure Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky into a minerals deal—soured by an Oval Office clash last week—he’s now turning the screws on Russia. Posts on X from his base cheer this as a masterstroke to stop Putin’s war machine dead.

The sanctions he’s eyeing aren’t small potatoes. “Large scale Banking Sanctions” could freeze Russia out of global finance, while tariffs would hit their $3 billion in U.S. imports—oil, metals, fertilizer. Conservatives argue it’s a no-brainer: choke Russia’s cash until they quit pounding Ukraine and talk peace.

Zelensky’s feeling the heat too. After Trump’s aid cut, Ukraine’s battlefield edge—built on U.S. intel and weapons—took a hit. A senior official said the pause is a “review” of relations, hinting it could lift if Zelensky bends. Talks loom in Saudi Arabia next week, and Trump’s pushing both sides hard.

Republicans see this as vintage Trump—deal-making with a sledgehammer. His Tuesday address to Congress, where he touted a popular vote win and tariffs to curb drugs, got 82 percent approval. Now, he’s leveraging that mandate to ram through a ceasefire, no excuses.

Russia’s not invincible here. Their energy strikes aim to break Ukraine’s will, but Trump’s sanctions could break their bank. Conservatives say Putin’s got no choice—face economic ruin or sit down. Ukraine’s losses mount—open-source maps show Kursk gains slipping—but Trump’s betting on pressure, not bullets.

The heartland’s behind him. Posts on X call this “America First in action”—stop funding foreign wars, start forcing peace. Trump’s not bluffing; he’s already slashed Ukraine’s lifeline. Republicans stand firm: this is how you end a war—hit Russia where it hurts and make them deal.