Putin will not agree to Trump's demand to end the war in Ukraine, - Volker
Date: 2025-01-22 Author: Кирило Загоруйко Categories: WORLD
Ukraine is pinning its hopes on the newly elected US President Donald Trump to end the war with Russia, but Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will most likely not agree to end the war. This opinion was expressed in a commentary to POLITICO by the former US Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker.
"2024 has been like a year of waiting. We had elections, we were distracted, the Biden administration was saying 'no', then saying 'yes'... 2025 looks like a year of action. We are finally moving," Volker said.
He stressed that the coming weeks will be decisive for both Kyiv and Moscow.
"I think Trump will call Putin and tell him to stop the war. I think Putin will disagree... and I think the Trump team will understand that they have to show strength. Show more resolve. And put everything on the table," Volker said.
That could mean tougher sanctions, a big increase in U.S. energy exports to cut Putin's defense budget, and continued military support for Ukraine, he said.
"There are ways to do that other than taxpayer money, including the Lend-Lease program, including Europe seizing 300 billion euros of Russian assets and using that money to buy American defense equipment," Volker said.
He said that would send a signal to Putin that "things aren't going to get any better."
