Trump is playing tough: Russia was given one last chance to stop the war
фото: Reuters
US President Donald Trump has dramatically changed his rhetoric towards the Kremlin, giving Vladimir Putin a tough ultimatum: either Russia ceases fire in Ukraine within 10 days, or face new, powerful economic restrictions.
This is reported by the Atlantic Council think tank.
This is the second warning from Trump recently – the previous deadline was 50 days, but the situation on the front forced Washington to reduce the time for Moscow to react.
According to sources, the current US president is offering Putin peace on terms that could be beneficial to Russia, but the Kremlin is refusing. Trump, who until recently avoided open confrontation with Moscow and even considered recognizing the annexation of Crimea, is now openly pressuring Putin. The turning point was his agreement to support the transfer of weapons to Ukraine through European partners – a decision that analysts consider “belated but critically important.”
Why doesn’t the Kremlin agree to peace even on friendly terms?
Analysts point to three main reasons why Putin refuses a ceasefire:
The illusion of superiority – despite the slow pace of the offensive, the Russian leadership is convinced that it has a strategic advantage in a war of attrition.
War economy — Since 2022, Russia has rebuilt its economy on military rails. Factories are operating around the clock, and the incomes of military families have increased, partially offsetting the effects of Western sanctions.
Fear of loss of control — peace means the return of hundreds of thousands of front-line soldiers who are accustomed to combat income and could become a source of internal destabilization.
However, the deepest reason for the refusal remains ideology . Putin, analysts believe, is convinced that the very existence of an independent Ukraine threatens Russia’s imperial identity. This existential vision does not allow him to compromise.
“Putin’s refusal to accept Trump’s favorable peace terms is partly explained by his expectations of victory and fear of the consequences of any negotiated agreements. But the decisive reason remains the belief that Ukrainian statehood poses a threat to Russia and must be destroyed,” the Atlantic Council material states.
Can the West force the Kremlin to reconsider its position?
Analysts say the situation can still be changed. But for this, the West must act decisively:
provide Ukraine with modern long-range weapons;
to return the strategic initiative to the Armed Forces of Ukraine;
create real threats on the territory of Russia itself, forcing the Kremlin to feel the price of aggression.
If this does not happen, no ultimatums, even from Washington, will change Putin’s position.
Recall, US President Donald Trump said that he is no longer interested in meeting with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
As reported, US President Donald Trump said that Russia has 10 days to reach an agreement on the war in Ukraine. If it refuses, Washington will impose new economic restrictions, including tariffs . At the same time, Trump acknowledged that the war will last longer than expected.
It should be noted that on July 17, the Donald Trump administration announced that it would impose secondary sanctions and tariffs against Russia if a ceasefire is not achieved in Ukraine within 50 days.
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