Sanctions Alone Won't Stop Putin's Plans – Is the West Treading Water?
Despite President Trump's new sanctions, experts warn they won't suffice to halt Putin's Ukraine ambitions as Kremlin believes it's winning.
A Tenuous Shift Towards Kyiv
President Donald Trump has veered towards supporting Ukraine, imposing sanctions on two leading Russian oil firms, a move both anticipated and applauded by European allies. The unprecedented camaraderie among leaders of the “coalition of the willing” has invigorated the transatlantic alliance. But could this gesture merely be a temporary tilt towards Kyiv, reflecting Trump’s inconsistent stance on the conflict?
Trump’s Sanctions: Strong Enough?
The sanctions have made ripples, encouraging some countries trading in Russian oil to reconsider their alliances. However, senior fellow Alexander Kolyandr from the Centre for European Policy Analysis argues that sanctions won’t be the panacea many hope for. “Sanctions alone would not force Putin to stop the war,” Kolyandr asserts. According to Sky News, the aim should be broader, with Ukraine needing more arms, support, and concrete guarantees.
Escalating Military Support
Recent discussions point towards bolstering Ukraine’s military capability, including the delivery of long-range weapons. These are pivotal in neutralizing drone threats from Russia. Additionally, there are deliberations about unfreezing Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defenses, though not all nations are on board.
The Kremlin’s Stance: Confident or Overconfident?
Mr. Kolyandr paints a picture of a Kremlin buoyed by overconfidence. “Putin and the Kremlin are pretty much sure that they are winning the war,” he observes, adding that Russia is operating under the belief that Ukraine might eventually collapse. This perceived upper hand diminishes Putin’s willingness to negotiate a ceasefire under terms favorable to Ukraine.
Brokering Peace: A Challenging Path Forward
While Trump publicly aims to broker an end to the conflict, his consistently shifting attitude casts doubt on long-term peace efforts. As long as the Kremlin predicts success, they remain unlikely to concede to negotiations proposed by Western powers or Ukraine.
The Road Ahead: Beyond Economic Measures
For this crisis to resolve peacefully, experts suggest a potent blend of strategies beyond economic constraints. Until that mix is achieved, sanctions like those recently imposed serve as part of a larger strategy rather than the end game. As tensions persist, the international community remains watchful, gauging each move and countermove across the geopolitical chessboard.
