U.S. to ramp up pressure on Russia: military expert explains mechanisms for ending Ukraine war

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

“On the eve of U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff’s visit to Moscow, the Financial Times has published a so-called controlled leak about ‘plans’ to end the war in Ukraine. According to this ‘plan,’ if Crimea is recognized as Russian, Russia would withdraw its troops from four Ukrainian regions. Do you think this is part of military and political pressure on Russia or on Ukraine? The Russians have already been forced to comment, saying such a ‘plan’ is unfeasible. This is the context in which Witkoff’s visit is taking place, so that no one can claim he was 'bitten' by Putin,” explained Sniehyrov.

According to him, attention should also be given to Trump’s statements, where he promised to revisit the issue of sanctions against Russia within a week. This suggests that Witkoff may have also brought to Moscow a clear understanding that economic sanctions against the occupying country will be tightened if it refuses to accept the nature of the peace agreements.

“The media is already reporting on a U.S. proposal to control the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant by creating a demarcation zone around it. After all, according to a decree by the Russian dictator, the entire Zaporizhzhia region is now considered part of Russia. Putin and other high-ranking Kremlin officials have repeatedly stated that foreign military contingents cannot be deployed on Ukrainian territory. But with the ZNPP, they’re suggesting that the contingent will be stationed in a region that Putin has included in Russia. Most importantly, the United States is effectively marking the end of Russia’s territorial claims over the entire Zaporizhzhia region. When there are proposals for the ZNPP to fall under U.S. control, I believe this will become a major sticking point,” commented the expert.

The military expert recalled some goals behind the so-called "Eastern Partnership." The first goal is to create a "corridor" from Crimea, through the occupied territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, extending to Russia. The second objective is to seize the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station in order to supply water to the occupied Crimea. The third goal is to control the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) to resolve the issue of energy supply and transfer electricity to Crimea.

“However, returning to Witkoff, it’s said that there will be pressure put on Russia, particularly through double sanctions targeting the Russian oil refining industry. I want to reassure Ukrainians and urge them to allow the development of mechanisms for U.S. pressure on Russia. Let me explain why this pressure will happen: the conclusion of the rare earths agreement with Ukraine should ensure that the United States can make it clear to Russia that Ukraine is firmly within the economic, military, and political orbit of the U.S.,” Sniehyrov summarized.

• On Friday, April 25, Russian leader Vladimir Putin held a three-hour meeting in Moscow with U.S. Special Representative Steve Witkoff. The Kremlin says the politicians discussed the possibility of resuming direct talks between Ukraine and Russia.