New U.S. aid packages to Ukraine could be trump card in Trump-Putin talks — journalist Portnikov

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

“Trump is well aware that if he stops helping Ukraine, no one will talk to him. Because what will be there to talk about? Because, let's say, there will be another six months of aid, and then Ukraine will have no weapons, and Putin will be able to conquer more regions. After that, he will talk to Ukraine about surrender. What does Trump need to be involved in then?” said Vitaly Portnikov.

The journalist added that Ukraine has the ability to fight for six months without new funding. Therefore, there is only one option for Trump: he either needs to reach an agreement within six months or consider new aid packages for Ukraine in 3-4 months.

“Moreover, the promise of these new aid packages could serve as a real bargaining chip in negotiations with Putin. For instance, if no ceasefire is agreed upon by April 1, we (the U.S. - ed.) could consider a new, more radical aid package for Ukraine on April 2. But if we approach Putin with the mindset of ‘Let’s reach a deal, and then we promise there will be no aid,’ then why should he even engage with us (Ukraine - ed.)? I don’t see any clear threats that the situation will change, but I also don’t see significant increases in aid,” Portnikov summarized.

• On January 22, U.S. President Donald Trump urged Russian leader Vladimir Putin to strike a deal to end the war in Ukraine. He threatened that if Putin refused, Russia would face high taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on all exports to the United States. 
• The following day, Trump reiterated his desire to meet with Putin soon to “end this war.”
• Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin announced that Russia was ready for talks on the war against Ukraine. The Presidential Administration said that Putin was trying to promote the idea of negotiations with the United States.