Next week could bring about a major moment The war between Russia and Ukraineand it could simply melt as President Donald Trump’s deadline for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal.
US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff It was predicted in Moscow mid-week Trump’s Friday deadline To stop the Kremlin killing and face Potentially serious economic penalties From Washington.
Previous Trump has promises, threats, Kaholing No results were obtained.and it will be difficult to clear up a stubborn diplomatic stalemate. Meanwhile, Ukraine is losing more territory on the frontline, but there are no signs of looming collapse of defense.
Trump envoys are expected in the Kremlin
Witkov was expected to land in the Russian capital on Wednesday or Thursday, according to Trump. Travel to Israel and Gaza.
“They want to see (Witkov),” Trump said on Sunday for the Russians. “They asked him to meet, so we’ll see what happens.”
Trump was upset that Russian President Vladimir Putin had not taken note of his call to stop bombing Ukrainian cities a week ago. I gave him an ultimatum To impose additional sanctions on Russia and introduce secondary tariffs targeting countries that purchase Russian oil, including China and India.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that officials are happy to meet Trump’s envoy. “I’m always happy to meet Mr. Witkov in Moscow,” he said. “We consider (consultation with Witkov) to be important, substantial and extremely useful.”
Trump doesn’t know if sanctions work
Trump said on Sunday that Russia has proven “very good at avoiding sanctions.”
“They’re wi characters,” he said of the Russians.
The Kremlin claims international sanctions have been imposed since February 2022 due to limited invasions of neighbors.
Ukraine argues that sanctions are causing a blow to Moscow’s war machinery and hopes that Western allies will strengthen them. Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelensky on Monday urged the US, Europe and other countries to impose strong secondary sanctions on Moscow’s energy, trade and banking sectors.
Trump’s comments appeared to indicate that sanctions were less hopeful of enforcing Putin’s hand.
Secondary sanctions also complicate Washington’s relationship with China and India. I buy that oil.
Since taking office in January, Trump has discovered it It’s hard to stop the war More than he probably imagined.
High-ranking American officials warn that if peace efforts do not progress, the United States can move away from conflict.
Putin shows no signs of concession
As Trump’s deadline approached, the diplomatic atmosphere became even more heated.
Putin announced Russia last Friday New Hi-Sonic missileOreshnik joined the service.
Russian leaders welcome the ability and say they cannot intercept multiple warheads that enter a target at the speed of MACH 10. They are very powerful, he said, using some of them on one traditional strike could be as devastating as a nuclear attack.
Another among the President Putin’s liberties warned that the Ukrainian war could drive Russia and the United States into armed conflict.
Trump responded to what was called a “very provocative statement” by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Relocation of two US nuclear submarines.
Putin repeated the same message during the war: he Only accepts settlement of his terms And they continue to fight until they meet.
The war kills thousands of troops and civilians
According to the United Nations, the merciless urban urban areas behind Russia’s frontlines have killed more than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians. have I pushed that tactic in spite of The Trump public is asking for it to stop For the past three months.
At the 1,000-kilometer (620 miles) frontline, the larger Russian army made slow and costly progress. It’s running Continuous operation It is an important logistics hub that can pave the way for a deeper drive to Ukraine to adopt the eastern city of Pokrovsk.
Ukraine has developed technology that allows long-range drone attacks to be launched deep within Russia. Among them Latest strike It struck an oil depot near Sochi at Black Sea Resort in Russia, causing a major fire.
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Follow the AP’s report on the war in Ukraine https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine