In a recent speech at the United Nations, President Trump claimed that Europe “financed the war against itself” in Ukraine, urging an immediate stop to energy purchases from Russia, stating that otherwise, “we will all be wasting a lot of time.”
Later that day, Trump had a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who referred to the meeting as “very good.” Trump later posted on social media, asserting that Ukraine was ready to “fight and win by returning all of Ukraine to its original state.” Zelensky, speaking to reporters, described Trump as a “game changer.”
This meeting followed a summit in Alaska that featured some unusual moments. Notably, it was President Vladimir Putin’s first official visit to the U.S. since 2015.
Trump confirmed that he had agreed to meet with Putin in Alaska. The question remains whether any agreement can be made with Russian leaders. To bring Putin to negotiations, Trump announced a 50-day deadline for new sanctions against Russia, which was quickly adjusted to 10 days.
This strategy appears to have backfired, as the conflict in Ukraine seems likely to escalate. The Kremlin withdrew from negotiations, further heightening tensions. Recently, reports noted that 19 Russian drones and additional aircraft were detected over Poland, while three fighter jets briefly entered Estonian airspace. Estonia declared a state of emergency for the first time in 80 years, discussing the situation at the United Nations Security Council.
During their Alaska meeting, Putin dismissed Trump’s request for a ceasefire in Ukraine, leading the discussions to shift toward U.S.-Russian nuclear arms control, with a treaty set to expire in February.
Trump remarked, “I thought it would be easy given his relationship with President Putin, but it turns out he was a little different,” expressing his surprise to reporters.
From early on, it became evident that negotiations with Moscow wouldn’t be straightforward. Russia has long utilized energy as a political tool.
Post-meeting, Putin commented that “War is… the root cause,” alluding to his ongoing discontent with NATO expansion and Ukraine’s ties with the West.
The foundational causes of undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and insisting on a Russian sphere of influence have defined the legitimacy of his war since 2014. However, addressing these issues seems impossible without compromising Ukraine or NATO.
Despite enduring three and a half years of conflict and remaining one of the most sanctioned countries globally, Russia’s economy has displayed unexpected resilience, bolstered by energy revenues and adapted strategies to cope with sanctions.
If there’s a takeaway from the situation in Ukraine, it’s that reducing reliance on Russian energy is crucial. Yet, allies need to do more to help end the war in Ukraine.
Firstly, they must fulfill promises regarding Ukraine’s air defenses—Trump’s widely discussed commitment to deliver 17 Patriot Missile Systems has seen little public follow-up.
The U.S. and the European Union have prohibited Russian energy exports and imposed sanctions on importers, ensuring that Russian exports are economically unfeasible.
Efforts should target the 600 vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet. By mid-2025, the EU had actionable sanctions against 444 ships, the UK had 423, while the U.S. has not sanctioned any new tankers under its current administration, remaining at 216.
Pressure should be placed on Western companies to exit ventures in Russia. Many global firms still engage in trade, exploiting loopholes due to inadequate enforcement.
Sanctions against Russian oligarchs need synchronization, as many operate in jurisdictions that are not targeted. For example, Roman Abramovich, sanctioned by the UK and EU since 2022, still evades U.S. sanctions.
It’s essential to prosecute agents of Russian influence, as seen in the case of Ukrainian oligarch Dmytro Firtash, who was charged with bribery and has longstanding ties to the Kremlin, yet remains sheltered in Austria.
Western allies should also acknowledge Ukraine’s advancements in drone technology and champion its EU and NATO aspirations, while reevaluating Russia’s veto power in the UN Security Council, a legacy of the dissolved Soviet Union, to break the prevailing stalemate.
Collectively, these actions would apply significant pressure on Moscow, enhancing Ukraine’s defense and sovereignty.
Valuable time is fleeting concerning Trump’s United Nations message, and with Ukraine facing relentless attacks, they cannot afford a delay.
