Trump’s Ukraine Peace Deadline Nears, But Putin Defiant/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump’s deadline for Russia to agree to peace terms in Ukraine is days away, yet the Kremlin remains unmoved. Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow this week to push diplomacy. Meanwhile, Ukraine loses ground and casualties mount as Russia escalates.
Trump-Putin Diplomacy Quick Looks
- Trump set Friday deadline for Kremlin to accept peace
- Envoy Steve Witkoff expected in Moscow midweek
- Russia shows no sign of conceding or halting attacks
- Putin boasts new hypersonic missile capable of mass destruction
- Trump threatens new sanctions and tariffs targeting Russian oil buyers
- Ukraine urges harsher secondary sanctions on Russia’s energy sector
- War continues with mounting civilian casualties and urban destruction
- U.S. officials warn America may withdraw if talks stall
- Russia advances near Pokrovsk, a key eastern Ukrainian city
- Ukraine strikes back with drone attack near Sochi oil depot
Deep Look: Trump’s Peace Ultimatum Nears, but Putin Digs In
WASHINGTON / MOSCOW — As President Donald Trump’s deadline for a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine approaches, Moscow remains defiant, offering no indication it will soften its stance. The ultimatum, aimed at halting the devastating war, is set for Friday, and comes with the threat of severe new sanctions if ignored.
Trump’s special envoy, real estate executive Steve Witkoff, is expected to arrive in Moscow by midweek following recent stops in Israel and Gaza.
“They would like to see [him],” Trump told reporters Sunday, adding, “They’ve asked that he meet, so we’ll see what happens.”
The upcoming visit is seen as a last-ditch diplomatic push to prevent the U.S. from enacting economic penalties, including secondary tariffs targeting countries such as China and India that continue purchasing Russian oil.
Kremlin Holds Its Line
Despite Trump’s public pressure, Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown no willingness to change course. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russian officials welcome Witkoff’s visit and are prepared for talks, calling the discussions “important” and “substantive.”
But on the ground and in rhetoric, Russia has only doubled down. Last Friday, Putin announced that a new hypersonic missile, known as the Oreshnik, had entered service. The weapon, reportedly capable of speeds up to Mach 10, is described by the Kremlin as capable of matching the destructive force of a nuclear strike when used in multiple conventional warhead deployments.
Putin’s message remains the same: Russia will only accept a peace agreement on its own terms, and military operations will continue until those demands are met.
Trump’s Sanctions Strategy
Trump, growing increasingly frustrated with Putin’s refusal to halt attacks on Ukrainian cities, recently accelerated his timeline, moving the peace deadline forward by several weeks. He warned that failure to comply would result in:
- New sanctions on Russia’s economy
- Secondary sanctions on nations purchasing Russian oil
- A possible reduction in U.S. involvement if diplomacy stalls
Still, Trump acknowledged on Sunday that sanctions may not be enough to sway the Kremlin. “They’re wily characters,” he said, noting Russia’s resilience under previous international sanctions.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for stronger sanctions from the U.S., Europe, and global allies—particularly in Russia’s energy, banking, and trade sectors—arguing that the pressure is beginning to erode Moscow’s war capabilities.
Rising Tensions and Escalations
The diplomatic stakes are being raised on both sides. Following threats from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev that the Ukraine conflict could spiral into direct confrontation between Russia and the U.S., Trump ordered the repositioning of two nuclear submarines, calling Medvedev’s remarks “highly provocative.”
As these geopolitical tensions unfold, the human toll on the ground worsens. The United Nations estimates over 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Bombings of urban centers behind the front line continue despite Trump’s repeated appeals for a halt to the attacks.
Ukraine’s Frontline Struggles and Strategic Strikes
On the battlefield, Russia’s larger and better-equipped military continues to make incremental gains. One key target is Pokrovsk, a logistical hub in eastern Ukraine. Its fall could pave the way for deeper Russian advances toward the interior of the country.
In response, Ukrainian forces have escalated their drone campaign, launching long-range strikes deep into Russian territory. In a recent operation, a drone attack ignited a massive blaze at an oil depot near Sochi, a Black Sea resort city, signaling Kyiv’s determination to push the fight beyond its own borders.
The Road Ahead
Trump’s return to the presidency came with bold promises to bring the war to a swift end. But seven months into his second term, he faces the harsh reality that conflict resolution in Ukraine is far more complex than anticipated.
Senior U.S. officials have reportedly warned that if no tangible progress is made in upcoming diplomatic talks, Washington could begin distancing itself from the conflict, placing even more pressure on Ukraine and its allies.
With the Friday deadline looming, the world is watching whether Trump’s latest strategy will bring diplomacy back to the table—or push both sides further into a protracted and deadly war.
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