Donald Trump is contemplating whether to apply pressure on Russia through economic sanctions and other means, or to reduce military aid to Ukraine in order to expedite the end of the conflict.
According to NBC News, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Special Representative for Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg are inclined to use American leverage to compel Vladimir Putin to cease hostilities. Meanwhile, another faction within the administration, including supporters of cutting financial aid to Ukraine, believes that this approach could lead to a peace agreement with Russia. However, critics of this notion warn that it may result in capitulation to Moscow and significantly weaken Ukraine.
Trump has repeatedly stated that he is ready to take all possible measures to end the war. During his inauguration, he promised to impose sanctions, tariffs, and taxes on Russia if Putin refused to engage in peace talks. However, after U.S. trade with Russia significantly declined, such measures lost their effectiveness.
One of the options being discussed is the use of frozen Russian assets to fund military aid to Ukraine. According to former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor, the $300 billion in Russian assets held in European and American banks could be utilized to purchase weapons for Kyiv. At the same time, Trump is showing a shift in rhetoric, acknowledging that peace negotiations are only possible with substantial pressure on Russia. The U.S. President has repeatedly stated that Russia must abandon its attempts to seize Ukrainian territory, which is a prerequisite for starting negotiations.
"Listening to Trump talk about Putin for nearly a decade, these are the most critical things he has ever said," noted former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul.
Source: nbcnews.