US reconsiders strategy of pressure on Kyiv and Moscow due to difficulties with peace deal

The White House, photo: Getty Images

In recent days, the Donald Trump administration has been discussing the possibility that the United States will not be able to reach a peace agreement on Ukraine in the coming months. In this regard, new mechanisms are being developed to put pressure on both Kyiv and Moscow.

Initially, Trump and his team planned to ensure a cessation of hostilities in Ukraine by spring and then conclude a long-term peace agreement, Reuters writes, citing two US officials with knowledge of the matter.

However, these goals remain unattainable, increasing the risk of a protracted conflict and the need for additional military assistance to Ukraine from the West.

The publication notes that representatives of the US administration have repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction with the way Kyiv is conducting negotiations, in particular with regard to mineral agreements and the advancement of the peace process. At the same time, Washington has recently grown increasingly frustrated with Moscow's actions.

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According to Reuters, , after the latest rounds of talks, the White House and the State Department concluded that Vladimir Putin is actively resisting US attempts to conclude a lasting peace agreement. Washington is discussing possible economic and diplomatic measures that could force the Kremlin to make concessions.

Although Trump has repeatedly stated that he trusts Putin and believes he is committed to peace, recent events have made the White House question the Russian leadership's intentions. The administration is considering additional sanctions and tariffs that could be imposed on Russia.

Meanwhile, Moscow has made it clear that American proposals to end the war are unacceptable to it, as they do not take into account the Kremlin's demands, which it calls the key causes of the conflict.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Washington would work on the issue of peace talks for as long as necessary. However, their success depends not only on the United States, but primarily on Ukraine and Russia.

As a reminder, Donald Trump has stated that he has some control over the escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian war and can stop Vladimir Putin.