President Donald Trump has put himself in a position where he must soon choose between wielding an economic hammer against Russia or extending a diplomatic handshake. A two-week deadline will determine which path the U.S. takes in the Ukraine conflict.
The economic hammer is formidable, described by Trump as “massive sanctions or massive tariffs or both.” This represents a significant escalation of pressure that could inflict serious damage on the Russian economy.
The diplomatic handshake is contingent on progress towards peace. If Russian President Vladimir Putin agrees to meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, it would likely be seen as a major breakthrough, allowing Trump to claim a diplomatic victory.
Putin appears to be angling for the handshake. His description of Trump as a “light at the end of the tunnel” is a clear overture. However, his hardline stance on sovereignty ensures that any handshake will be on terms that he can portray as a defense of Russia’s national interests.