According to those sources, Trump’s frustration with Russia’s behavior in the negotiations led to concrete moves, including the seizure of a Russian tanker that was under sanctions, as well as the approval of a new, much tougher package of sanctions against Moscow. This, according to the Telegraph’s interlocutors, sent a clear message to the Kremlin that the time for procrastination is coming to an end.
“He operates according to the principle of carrots and sticks. And it seems that he is done with carrots,” a source close to Trump’s closest circle of associates told the paper. Another interlocutor stated that the American president is increasingly tired of Russian negotiation tactics, which he describes as “two steps forward, one step back”.
Trump’s current mood represents a departure from earlier attitudes, when he used to publicly speak positively about Putin and even attribute part of the responsibility for the war to Ukraine. However, multiple current and former US officials argue that the Trump administration’s thinking is moving closer to the European position – that the Russian president is effectively buying time and avoiding substantive deals.
On Wednesday, US special forces, despite the risk of direct confrontation with Moscow, carried out an operation on a Russian tanker under sanctions. Just a few hours later, the White House confirmed that Trump, during a meeting with Senator Lindsey Graham, gave the green light to a legislative proposal on new sanctions against Russia. The proposal would give the US president extremely broad powers to isolate Russia economically, including the ability to impose tariffs of up to 500 percent on goods from countries that buy Russian oil, petroleum products or uranium.
According to one former US official, the administration is particularly frustrated by Russia’s behavior during the negotiations. “The Russians act as if they are ready for an agreement, and then, when it comes to topics that they thought might be acceptable, they either increase the pressure or simply stop talking,” he said, adding that Ukraine has shown a greater willingness to compromise.
Throughout the war, Trump has frequently shifted his tone toward both sides, seeking to fulfill a campaign promise to quickly secure peace. Still, his earlier statements that he believed Putin sincerely wanted peace worried Ukraine’s European allies, who warned that “warm talks” were often followed by Russian missile and drone strikes.
Such fears have been heightened by recent events, including Russian ballistic missile and drone attacks on Kiev, as well as the firing of missiles at Lviv, a city located only forty kilometers from the border with Poland, a member of NATO and the European Union. The Ukrainian authorities have said that this will test the resolve of the transatlantic community.
Recently, Trump has publicly shown his personal dissatisfaction with Putin. “I’m not thrilled with Putin, he’s killing too many people,” he told a news conference at Mar-a-Lago. He also dismissed Russian claims that Ukraine droned one of Putin’s residences, saying the US did not believe the attack had taken place.
However, the Telegraph reminds us that earlier attempts to tighten relations with Moscow often ended in a relaxation of pressure. One former member of Trump’s National Security Council assessed that this change of tone is more operational than strategic in nature.
“He may react more strongly to certain moves, but his strategic desire to quickly end the war in Ukraine remains unchanged,” he said.
White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said Trump’s goal has not changed, stressing that the president is focused on ending the war and stopping what she called senseless killing.
(Vijesti.ba)
