Vladimir Putin is ignoring US President Donald Trump's peace initiatives, continuing his aerial terror against Ukrainian cities. Although Trump has repeatedly stated his intention to stop the war, his statements remain only rhetoric - without real steps or pressure on the Kremlin. This is emphasized by former US Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer in his column for The Hill .
Pifer, an expert at the Center for International Security and Cooperation at Stanford University, recalls that Trump boasts about his “very good” relationship with Putin. But it is precisely this relationship that has apparently helped neither to stop the war nor to force Russia to make concessions. Moreover, after each “peace appeal” from Trump, the Kremlin has responded with another attack — in particular, large-scale missile attacks on Ukrainian cities.
According to Pifer, Trump is not taking any practical measures that could have a real impact on Russia's position: no new sanctions, no diplomatic pressure, not even the cancellation of visits to Moscow by his special representative, Steve Witkoff.
"Putin is playing with Trump. And so far, he is winning. Russia understands: there will be a maximum of loud phrases from the US president, but there will be no real steps. This Kremlin strategy is working," the former diplomat notes.
Pifer also emphasizes that Trump still has a whole arsenal of leverage at his disposal, from expanding sanctions to significantly increasing military aid to Ukraine. This, he believes, could force Putin to at least consider the cost of continuing the aggression.
Recall that after returning to the White House, Trump repeatedly called for a ceasefire and the start of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. However, Moscow is putting forward unacceptable conditions: Ukraine's refusal to join NATO, neutral status, and de facto demilitarization. Against this background, the Kremlin continues to shell, and Trump continues to talk.
