Vladimir Putin has signaled his willingness to consider an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, although it would be under strict and potentially controversial conditions.
As Donald Trump pushes to broker a peace deal, the Kremlin also appears to be leveraging the opportunity to advance its own strategic objectives.
The international community has been left reeling as Trump, in a stunning reversal of longstanding US policy, has pivoted toward Moscow while simultaneously placing increased pressure on Ukraine to negotiate.
‘We’re doing very well with Russia,’ Trump said candidly from the Oval Office on Friday. ‘I’m finding it more difficult, frankly, to deal with Ukraine.’
Reports from inside the Kremlin suggest that Russia is open to a temporary cessation of hostilities, but only if certain preconditions are met.
According to individuals familiar with high-level negotiations, these include a concrete framework for a final peace agreement and a carefully curated list of countries to participate in a prospective peacekeeping mission.
But such a stipulation is raising concerns among Ukraine and its Western allies, who fear that any such agreement would be skewed in Moscow’s favor.
The Trump administration had been quietly exploring ways to ease economic sanctions against Russia, including reconsidering the cap on its oil sales, a move that has alarmed European allies.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signaled his willingness to consider an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, although it would be under strict and potentially controversial conditions
The international community has been left reeling as Trump, in a stunning reversal of longstanding US policy, has pivoted toward Moscow while simultaneously placing increased pressure on Ukraine
Trump used Truth Social to send a warning to Moscow
But on Friday, he warned Moscow that he was now ‘strongly considering’ imposing sanctions and tariffs on Russia until a ceasefire and peace agreement is reached.
The Treasury Department is looking at possible sanctions on Russian oil majors and oilfield service companies deepening steps already taken by former President Joe Biden’s administration in January.
Sean Savett, a former spokesperson for the National Security Council under Biden, said Trump’s sanctions comments amounted to an ‘admission of naivete’ about Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose forces launched 67 missiles and almost 200 drones at Ukraine overnight.
The barrage which also pounded homes wounded at least 10 people.
‘Not only did he clearly get it wrong when he claimed repeatedly that Putin wants peace, but his actions squeezing Ukraine have made peace less attainable by strengthening Putin’s hand instead of Ukraine’s,’ he said.
Russia, one of the world’s biggest oil producers, is already subject to over 20,000 sanctions imposed by the United States and partners after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The U.S. alone has implemented 6,433 sanctions against Russia since February 2022, with measures by other countries including Britain, Australia, the European Union and Canada reaching a total of 21,692, according to a sanctions dashboard produced by Castellum.AI, a global risk and compliance platform.
U.S. sanctions on Russia include measures aimed at limiting its oil and gas revenues, including a cap of $60 per barrel on Russia’s oil exports.
It marks a shift in tone after Trump worried allies with warm words about how trusted President Vladimir Putin and a call for Moscow to be readmitted to the G7.
A senior administration official said ‘the president’s has intensified over Russia escalating as he’s trying to get both sides to the table.’
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to express his fury.
‘Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely ‘pounding’ Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED,’ he posted.
‘To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late.’
He offered no further details on his plans.
At the same time, the US and Ukrainian governments are scrambling to mend relations in a crucial meeting scheduled for next Tuesday in Saudi Arabia.
Trump, in a stunning reversal of longstanding US policy, has leaned in closer toward Moscow while simultaneously placing increased pressure on Ukraine to negotiate. Pictured, June 2017
A State Emergency Service of Ukraine shows a firefighting team tackling a fire after Russian troops launched a massive strike with guided air bombs on a front-line settlement in Kharkiv, Ukraine on Thursday
Last Friday’s explosive showdown in the Oval Office with Trump, Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has only served to destable the entire situation
Trump’s decision to temporarily suspend military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv comes after last week’s heated exchange in the Oval Officer with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House.
The blow up only served to further destabilize the situation, leaving Ukraine exposed as Russian forces continue to bombard key cities.
Despite this, Trump has also displayed some optimism stating, ‘I believe Putin wants peace in Ukraine.’
Last week Trump’s administration voted against a United Nations resolution that marked the third anniversary of the war by condemning the Russian invasion.
On Thursday, it emerged key allies were weighing whether to withhold sensitive intelligence from Washington for fear it might end up being shared with Russia.
Trump’s strong words come as Russia keeps up its barrage on Ukraine, and amid signs it is about to launch a major spring offensive.
Trump promised to end the conflict on day one of his presidency but the complexity of the task means he has dropped that target but still wants to end the war as fast as possible.
Zelensky, meanwhile, finds himself in an unenviable position.
His administration has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep negotiations afloat while simultaneously resisting what some perceive as an effort to strong-arm Ukraine into accepting unfavorable terms.
In his nightly address, Zelensky reinforced Kyiv’s position: ‘The Kremlin has to be forced into peace.’
Despite Ukraine’s efforts, Putin remains resolute in his demands.
According to sources close to the Russian government, Moscow will reject any ceasefire proposal that includes NATO troops stationed on Ukrainian soil.
This effectively nullifies a Franco-British initiative aimed at deploying a ‘coalition of the willing’ to oversee and enforce a potential truce.
Trump’s about-face on Ukraine has sent shockwaves through European capitals, where officials are warning that a premature deal could embolden Russian aggression.
‘The risk of rewarding Putin’s invasion is very real,’ said an unnamed European diplomat. ‘Lifting sanctions now could set a dangerous precedent.’
Despite the outward appearance of flexibility, Putin has not softened his stance on Ukraine.
Speaking at his annual press conference in December, he reiterated his long-standing position: ‘We don’t need a truce – we need peace: long-term, durable, with guarantees for the Russian Federation and its citizens.’
The declaration underscores the Kremlin’s insistence on cementing its territorial gains and ensuring that any agreement serves Russia’s long-term strategic interests.
Just this week, Moscow dismissed a proposed Franco-British truce, which would have limited air and naval operations, calling it ‘insufficient and unrealistic.’
