What step regarding end of war Trump waiting for from Putin? Explanation from political analyst
Photo: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin (GettyImages)
The visit of US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff to Russia should have a very important indicator — a phone conversation between Donald Trump and the Russian President Vladimir Putin, states political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko in a comment to the YouTube channel of RBC-Ukraine.
According to the political analyst, there will be two indicators — a conversation between Trump and Putin, and the resumption of official negotiations between the US and Russia, and accordingly, between the US and Ukraine.
Fesenko noted that Witkoff’s previous visits to Moscow ended with phone conversations and led to certain shifts.
"The key question is whether Putin will agree to at least a partial ceasefire, because the next step is needed. Russia itself proposed a phased ceasefire, but even the energy ceasefire is not being fully implemented. Moreover, the air war has intensified," said the political analyst.
He also reminded that Trump reacted in his distinctive style to Russia's strike on Kryvyi Rih, saying it irritated him. This irritation could influence the situation and Trump's decision-making.
In fact, the informal negotiation process has reached a crossroads.
"Either the negotiation process will resume, most likely next week, and perhaps lead to at least an interim agreement, such as a ceasefire in the air. It won’t be easy, I’m not sure Russia will agree, but it could be a significant step forward, even if there is no full ceasefire," Fesenko said.
If Putin does not agree to this, there will be a crossroads for Trump, and the US president will have to decide whether to impose "hellish sanctions" on Russia or not.
"This is a choice for Putin first, and then, perhaps, a choice for Trump," Fesenko emphasized.
Trump's patience may be running out
In March, Trump and his team proposed a 30-day ceasefire to Ukraine. Ukraine supported the proposal, but Russia, though indirectly, rejected the US offer.
Moreover, Putin outlined conditions for a full ceasefire that are unacceptable to Ukraine.
As reported by Fox News, Trump now understands that Putin is dragging out the truce with Ukraine, which is why the US has started seriously considering new sanctions against Russia.
At the same time, Trump stated yesterday that an agreement on a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia could come "relatively soon."
