Trump Ramps Up Pressure On Putin
For the first time, the pressure in the ongoing Ukraine conflict has been shifted to Russia, thanks to President Trump’s strategic push for a ceasefire. This new development comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed support for a 30-day truce in the war, signaling a significant step forward.
In a key moment of diplomatic negotiations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that the next move is now in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s hands. Steve Witkoff, the top Trump negotiator, is even planning to meet with Putin in the coming days to further solidify the ceasefire discussions. However, several Republican leaders, including Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), have voiced skepticism over Russia’s willingness to honor such a deal. Graham doubts that Putin truly seeks peace, emphasizing that while Zelensky has shown a desire for a ceasefire, the real test lies with Russia.
Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) echoed this concern, asserting that Putin’s imperial ambitions make him unlikely to respect any ceasefire agreement. Still, Cornyn acknowledged that even a temporary ceasefire could serve as a necessary step for deeper negotiations, although he’s cautious about any long-term commitment from Russia.
President Trump has made it clear that if Russia resists or drags its feet on the ceasefire, he is prepared to use severe economic measures, such as financial sanctions and tariffs, to pressure Moscow. This approach is not new for Trump, who has repeatedly vowed to use economic leverage to force adversaries into compliance.
As talks unfold, there is widespread concern about Russia’s history of violating ceasefires, such as with the Minsk Accords in 2014 and 2015. Some fear that Putin might use the ceasefire as a temporary tactic, only to escalate hostilities once again. But Trump’s commitment to holding Russia accountable remains firm. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) believes that Putin would be foolish to disregard Trump’s negotiating skills, emphasizing that the former president holds the cards in these talks.
The Republican view is clear: any future agreements with Russia should be backed by strong deterrents. The U.S. must be prepared to hold Russia accountable for any violations, ensuring that the peace process is genuine and not merely a tactical move by Putin to buy time.
