US President Donald Trump looks weak in the international context, as other countries are watching how Vladimir Putin behaves towards the United States.
This was stated by political scientist Igor Reiterovich to FREEDOM TV. He commented on relations between Moscow and Washington and the ongoing war in Ukraine - despite Trump's promise to stop it "in 24 hours" when he becomes president. At the moment, there is no prospect of the war stopping.
The White House has the opportunity to increase pressure on Putin and bring him to the negotiating table, but Trump does not plan to do so yet. The introduction of additional sanctions and an increase in military aid to Ukraine could stop Putin, Reuterovich pointed out, but according to him, there are no indications that the US administration will put serious pressure on the Kremlin.
“Trump can impose new sanctions or increase (military) aid to Kiev. This is a very effective tool and will make it clear to the Russian Federation and specifically to Putin and his entourage that they will have no chance to occupy more Ukrainian territory“, explained the political scientist. Despite the fact that the US has levers of influence over Russia, they are in no hurry to use them. So far, Donald Trump has only extended the sanctions imposed under Joe Biden.
“Trump, of course, can significantly increase pressure on Russia, but he has not yet resorted to these methods“, said Reiterovich, expressing hope that Washington will sooner or later understand that Russia does not want peace and will not stop its war against Ukraine on its own.
“Trump is taking non-aggressive actions towards Russia, and this, in the understanding of Putin and his entourage, is indeed a manifestation of weakness. But Trump's patience has a limit. And when it finally becomes clear that Russia does not want negotiations, the United States, it seems to me, will be forced to resort to more radical actions“, the expert explained.
There is another option, Reiterovich points out, referring to sanctions against Russia and increasing military aid to Ukraine, but it is hardly preferable in the White House. The US has the opportunity to distance itself from resolving all issues related to ending Russia's war against Ukraine. “The US can simply wash its hands and withdraw from this whole process, that is, from both Russia and Ukraine. But the US cannot afford to do that now, because this will again look like a manifestation of pure weakness. And in a global context. For Trump, it is extremely important that America does not look weak“, said Reiterovich.