Putin needs to come to the table for peace.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently rejected President Donald Trump’s proposal for a thirty day stop to the war in Ukraine, demanding that the West halt arms supplies to Kyiv before Moscow would even consider such a deal. Putin stated that while Russia was ready to “cease violence,” he made it clear that his country would only agree to the ceasefire if certain conditions were met. These included assurances that Ukraine would not mobilize its military, train soldiers, or receive weapons during the 30-day period. However, Putin did not indicate that Russia would abide by similar conditions.
President Trump, in response, reiterated his position that the fighting should come to an end, emphasizing that the war has already taken a significant toll on the United States and its allies. Trump expressed optimism that Russia would make the right choice and cease hostilities, noting the importance of reducing violence wherever possible. In addition, Trump took steps to tighten the economic pressure on Moscow by letting key waivers for Russian oil purchases expire, which had been a part of President Biden’s sanctions regime.
Trump’s efforts to broker peace have found support from congressional Republicans, who praised his commitment to resolving the conflict. Representative Pat Fallon (R-TX) stated that peace in Ukraine is in America’s best interest and highlighted the Trump administration’s consistent push for a diplomatic resolution. Some Republicans have been vocal about the need for greater economic pressure on Russia, with figures like Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC) condemning Putin as a war criminal and arguing that Russia’s refusal to accept the ceasefire would only further isolate them.
In contrast, a top Russian aide dismissed Trump’s ceasefire proposal as meaningless, arguing that it would simply provide Ukraine an opportunity to regroup. However, there are Ukrainian soldiers on the ground who are not eager to stop fighting under any circumstances, as they believe their very homes are at stake. Yet, Ukrainian officials, despite their reluctance, have shown a willingness to consider peace as a way to demonstrate their openness to negotiations and to gain support from the international community.
With the ball now in Russia’s court, President Trump has made it clear that the United States should exert even more pressure on Moscow if it refuses to cooperate. As the situation continues to evolve, the future of the conflict in Ukraine remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the peace process will require decisive action and unity from the West to ensure that Russian aggression is held in check.