Volodymyr Putin ignores the peaceful initiatives of US President Donald Trump, continuing air terror against Ukrainian cities. Although Trump has repeatedly stated the intention to stop the war, his statements remain only rhetoric - without real steps or pressure on the Kremlin. This is emphasized by the former US Ambassador to Ukraine Stephen Pifer in his column for The Hill .
Pirifer, an expert of the University of International Security and Cooperation Center, reminds that Trump boasts with his "very good" relationships with Putin. But it was these relationships that obviously helped neither stop the war nor forcing Russia to concess. Moreover, after every "peaceful call" by Trump, the Kremlin corresponded to another attack - in particular, large -scale rocket attacks of Ukrainian cities.
According to Pifer, Trump does not take practical measures that could have a real impact on Russia's position: no new sanctions, no diplomatic pressure, have not even been canceled to visit his special representative Steve Vitcoff to Moscow.
“Putin plays with Trump. And so far - wins. Russia understands that the US president will be maximum of loud phrases, but there will be no real steps. This Kremlin strategy works, ”the former diplomat notes.
Pifer also emphasizes that Trump has a whole arsenal of pressure levers - from expanding sanctions to a significant strengthening of military assistance to Ukraine. This, in his opinion, could make Putin at least think about the cost of continuing aggression.
We will remind, after returning to the White House, Trump repeatedly called for ceasefire and the beginning of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. However, Moscow puts out unacceptable conditions: Ukraine's refusal to join NATO, neutral status and actual demilitarization. Against this background, the Kremlin continues shelling, and Trump is to speak.
