Ukraine: Trumps Charmeoffensive gegenüber Putin fruchtet nicht

Trump's Failed Charm Offensive

Donald Trump's attempts to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine through negotiations and a proposed summit with Putin have been unsuccessful. His approach, characterized by a belief in Putin's willingness for peace and pressure on Ukraine, has yielded no significant breakthroughs.

Continued Warfare and Russia's Stance

Despite Trump's efforts, Russia continues its attacks on Ukraine, including record numbers of drone strikes. The Kremlin rejects a comprehensive ceasefire, prioritizing discussions about the 'deeper causes' of the war, namely Ukraine's pro-Western orientation. Russia's desire for a pro-Russian regime in Kyiv further hinders negotiations.

Lack of Progress and US Options

While some minor concessions have been achieved, no substantial progress has been made on key issues. Initiatives like a moratorium on attacks on energy infrastructure have proven ineffective due to vagueness and lack of enforcement. Trump's frustration with Putin's stalling tactics is evident, leaving him with two options:

• Continue courting Putin and maintaining the illusion of imminent progress, risking a continued lack of US military aid for Ukraine.
• Increase American pressure through heightened sanctions and weapon deliveries to Ukraine, a course considered more likely to succeed but less probable given Trump's current approach.

The article concludes by suggesting that if Trump fails to act, Congress may need to take the lead in implementing stronger sanctions against Russia to pressure it towards peace negotiations.