“Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together,” Donald Trump said after Russia’s president skipped peace talks in Turkey. They spoke by phone for two hours on Monday—but little came of it. Trump announced Kyiv and Moscow would begin ceasefire talks, but offered no pressure on Putin, appearing to distance himself from peace efforts.
Zelensky warned Putin is trying to manipulate Trump. Despite repeated threats to get tough, Trump has consistently held back, emboldening Russia as Ukraine fears waning U.S. support. Putin may believe he can achieve his goals without risking Trump’s promised economic reset.
Though Trump later said the U.S. isn’t pulling back, the indecision creates uncertainty. If the White House won’t lead, Congress and allies must. Europe should accelerate arms support and increase pressure on Russia’s economy by tightening sanctions and closing oil loopholes.
EU sanctions have already cut Russia’s shadow tanker fleet capacity, giving the West leverage. Brussels now aims to lower the oil price cap and hopes for U.S. support. Meanwhile, U.S. senators, including Trump allies, propose massive tariffs on countries buying Russian energy if Moscow avoids talks—though such measures risk global economic fallout. A better path is to back G7 price cap efforts.
For a Ukraine fearing abandonment, its survival now depends on Congress and European allies keeping their promises.