Trump made it clear: "We're talking to Russia. We'd like him to stop. I don't like the bombing."
As the US pushes for peace, Putin responds with strikes on Zelensky's hometown — and shows what he truly fears: diplomacy, not sanctions.
🧵Read on to understand his logic
As the US pushes for peace, Putin responds with strikes on Zelensky's hometown — and shows what he truly fears: diplomacy, not sanctions.
🧵Read on to understand his logic
Putin deliberately targeted Zelensky's hometown precisely when peace discussions are emerging. His aim is transparent - force Ukraine's leadership to either abandon peace negotiations or sacrifice public support at home.
After such brutal attacks, populations naturally demand retaliation. Should Zelensky pursue this path, peace talks collapse along with American military support before Putin's planned summer offensive. We witnessed the devastating consequences of supply disruptions last year.
Alternatively, if Zelensky exercises restraint, he sacrifices his political standing. For Putin, both outcomes serve his interests. The price of this "brilliant strategy" is paid in human lives, including children's. Putin and his gang have demonstrated their indifference to this cost for over a decade.
I am convinced that stopping this madness will take demonstrating to Putin that his summer offensive will fail definitively. For this, President Trump could could fast-track a substantial Ukrainian military aid package through Congress - $100 billion annually would prove sufficient.
This could be structured as an amendment to a mineral resources agreement with Ukraine and would make it it politically viable for Zelensky at home.
As someone who has observed Putin's strategic evolution since his earliest days in power, I recognize the pattern in Kryvyi Rih - create pressure points when negotiations appear possible. The response must be equally calculated and decisive.
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