Vladimir Putin has centralized his power abroad. He forged a personal diplomatic partnership with Chinese President Xi Jinping which has blossomed in the face of war raging across Ukraine and against the desires of Western powers. This integration occurs as Putin’s Russia is grappling with the impact of sweeping international sanctions and battlefield losses. In recent months, the Russian government has made this abundantly clear through its actions. This is no less than a dire threat to Kyiv and its Western backers at this pivotal time of the war.
This all came to a head when their highly anticipated summit between Putin and US President Donald Trump got canceled. Trump put it mildly, saying simply, “it just didn’t feel right to me.” This cancellation further illustrates the deteriorating relationship between the two nations. As we discussed above, the war in Ukraine isn’t over yet, and Putin has not proven himself to be a serious negotiator for peace.
New Sanctions Target Russian Oil Giants
The United States has unveiled new sanctions against two of Russia’s biggest oil companies. This move is a clear reaction to the war happening in Ukraine today. These sanctions are intended to destroy the Russian economy, which is highly dependent on oil exports. The US administration has emphasized that these measures are a response to Russia’s military aggression. They draw attention to Russia’s lack of good faith engagement with talks aimed at stopping the fighting.
Even amid the current sanctions, oil prices have skyrocketed. This increase comes after steps from US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, giving an indication that the market is reacting to geopolitical tensions even further. Bessent has called for an end to the violence, stating, “Now is the time to stop the killing and for an immediate ceasefire.” This realization underscores the importance of his call for an urgent resolution to the conflict. This protracted war has caused untold destruction and pain across Ukraine.
Ongoing Military Aggression
Since that time, Putin’s Russia has only escalated its bombardment of Ukraine, including by launching missile strikes from ground-based launchers, submarines, and aircraft. These assaults have raised the specter of nuclear strikes on our homeland, as they have involved intercontinental ballistic missiles that could reach the United States. At the same time, bombings have wreaked havoc through widespread destruction on residential buildings as well as a kindergarten in Kyiv.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is doubtful that Putin would ever agree to a lasting peace agreement. He has expressed skepticism that any fruitful deal could come from talks given present conditions. Second, Russia has clearly and convincingly restated its preconditions for any peace deal. They demand that Ukraine surrender all of the south-eastern Donbas region, creating distance from any plausible diplomatic resolution.
Continued Diplomatic Efforts
Despite the escalating violence and sanctions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that the United States still wishes to meet with Russian representatives. This choice illustrates an earnest commitment to seeking conversation even at a time of increased hostility. The US should seek every opportunity to pursue a reduction in hostilities, with the ultimate goal of furthering and establishing a permanent peace.
Furthermore, leveraging Putin This administration appears to be counting on the hope that Trump might use his own influence to have the fighting stopped. This is especially notable given recent events. The implications of the Russian leader’s latest moves are deeply troubling. As a result, many are pessimistic that these newly restarted peace talks will yield anything fruitful.
