Trump Shifts Ukraine Strategy, Increasing Pressure on Putin After Summit Cancellation
MOSCOW – A potential second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, initially proposed for Budapest, has been abandoned, signaling a hardening of the U.S. stance toward Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine. While Moscow had expressed openness too the meeting, viewing the first summit in Alaska as a diplomatic win symbolizing Russia’s return to the international stage, the cancellation suggests a shift from diplomatic enticement to increased pressure.
Russian state media had recently focused on the prospect of a European summit excluding the European Union, portraying the proposed Budapest meeting as a deliberate snub to Brussels. However, despite initial enthusiasm, few in Russia anticipated the summit would yield results aligning with Moscow’s objectives. Russian demands extend beyond territorial concessions,encompassing a halt to NATO enlargement eastward and,ultimately,a return of Ukraine to Russia’s sphere of influence.
Recent commentary within Russia reflects a willingness to continue military operations, with Moskovsky Komsomolets declaring, ”There isn’t a single reason Moscow should agree to a ceasefire.” This stance underscores that while the Kremlin desires peace, it insists on terms currently unacceptable to both Kyiv and Washington.
The evolving situation raises questions about whether President trump will escalate pressure on Russia, a possibility acknowledged in recent reporting. Some analysts suggest a cyclical pattern,as described by Moskovsky Komsomolets: “In the game of Trump tug-of-war,Russia is leading again…Trump will be pulled in the opposite direction by telephone calls and visits from Europe. Then Putin will pull him back to our side again.”
