Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed appreciation to Donald Trump for what he described as "productive" talks on Tuesday, primarily focusing on sanctions against Russia, defense collaboration, and drone manufacturing. This interaction comes just before U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's upcoming visit to Moscow. Zelensky emphasized that Russia appears to be particularly "sensitive" regarding potential sanctions.
Trump previously warned that if Russia does not broker a ceasefire with Ukraine by Friday, it would face significant sanctions, including secondary penalties for those engaged in trade with Russia. Witkoff is set to meet with Vladimir Putin on Wednesday to discuss ongoing developments. Although the Kremlin has downplayed Trump's threat, spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated last week that the Russian economy has developed resilience to sanctions after being subjected to them for an extended period.
In a recent Telegram post, Zelensky noted discussions with Trump about the "increased brutality" of Russian strikes in Ukraine, with Trump expressing frustration that bombings often intensify after seemingly cordial phone calls with Putin. Their relationship has improved since a rocky meeting last February, where Trump criticized Zelensky for not adequately appreciating U.S. aid.
The U.S. has launched an initiative where NATO allies like Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Sweden plan to purchase extensive military equipment from the U.S. to bolster Ukraine's defense. Their combined procurement is projected to exceed $1 billion, focusing on air defense systems and ammunition, essential given the continued bombardment across Ukrainian cities.
While Trump had previously expressed confidence in swiftly resolving the conflict, recent ceasefire talks have failed to yield tangible progress. Despite Trump's pressing deadline, Putin has been skeptical about the prospects for an immediate, lasting ceasefire, suggesting that "inflated expectations" often lead to disappointments in diplomatic efforts.
