WASHINGTON – Former President Donald trump is escalating pressure on Vladimir Putin to agree to an “immediate ceasefire” in Ukraine, while together announcing direct sanctions targeting Russia.The move comes after a series of meetings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, during which Zelenskyy sought commitments for long-range missile deliveries but left without a firm agreement.
Trump‘s intensified stance marks a shift in his previously stated desire to quickly broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, a plan that reportedly involved ceding territory to Russia. He has now publicly called for an end to the conflict and is employing economic measures to encourage Putin’s compliance. The sanctions, details of which were released today, target key Russian industries and individuals.
During Zelenskyy’s visit to the White House last week, sources told the Financial Times that Trump initially urged zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms, even reportedly “shouting and swearing” during the discussion. However, Zelenskyy reportedly managed to steer the conversation toward a new peace plan proposed by Trump, which initially involved freezing the frontline and establishing new borders along existing control lines – effectively handing vast swathes of Ukrainian territory to Russia.
that initial proposal, which would have given Putin almost full control of the Donbas region, was rejected by the Kremlin. Trump’s latest call for an “immediate ceasefire” and the imposition of direct sanctions represent a hardening of his position.
the situation remains fluid as Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine, which have reportedly intensified since Trump’s August 15th meeting with putin in Alaska. Despite the lack of immediate progress, the US continues to monitor the conflict and explore avenues for a peaceful resolution.
