Not Trump: Who Can Make Putin End the War in Ukraine
Фото: Reuters
US President Donald Trump has expressed disappointment with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s handling of the war in Ukraine. However, the only person with real influence over the dictator is China’s Xi Jinping.
The Times writes about this.
Journalists recalled that Trump had earlier given Moscow an ultimatum: 50 days to declare a ceasefire. Otherwise, he threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on Russian imports.
The Moscow Stock Exchange jumped sharply as investors breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that the US actions would be limited to symbolic pressure. After all, the volume of Russian sales to America last year amounted to only $3 billion, or 0.65% of total exports, the article notes.
More important was the warning that the US would also impose secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil and petroleum products. If the US were to cut off supplies, it would be a tipping point. Russia’s total oil revenue last year was $192 billion.
However, experts are convinced that this is most likely a bluff: Beijing and Delhi, the main consumers of Russian oil, are unlikely to change their policies. This indicates that the person who can best force the illegitimate Russian President Vladimir Putin to change course on Ukraine is not Trump, but the head of the PRC Xi Jinping, the publication’s article says.
Xi Jinping does not appear to have any intention of doing so. On Tuesday, the Chinese leader met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and said Russia and China should “strengthen mutual support.” At the same time, the Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned the threat of tariffs. Earlier this month, while declaring neutrality in the war in Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang I told his EU counterpart Kaja Kallas that Putin’s invasion was a “blessing” for Beijing because it allowed the West to focus on Europe rather than the Pacific.
The publication notes that China already supplies Russia with a wide range of dual-use goods that may have civilian applications but are also important to Putin’s military machine. These goods range from fiber-optic cables used to control unstoppable drones to nitrocellulose, a raw material used in ammunition.
Recall that the day before, a landmark meeting between US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte took place in the White House. During the briefing , Trump announced the transfer of 17 Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine and a large amount of other military aid, which will be partially financed by European allies. The president also threatened Russia with 100% tariffs if a peace agreement on Ukraine is not reached within 50 days.
At the same time, the United States of America is preparing to transfer weapons to NATO allies worth about 10 billion dollars, with subsequent delivery of this equipment to Ukraine. The agreement concluded by US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte provides for the transfer of the most modern weapons, including missiles, air defense systems and artillery ammunition.
Subsequently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced two important international conversations – with US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The discussion focused on strengthening Ukraine’s defense, deliveries of Patriot systems, new weapons, and steps toward a just peace.
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