Trump unsatisfied with Putin's 'nuances' as Moscow drags feet on ceasefire deal

The author of the Resurgam Telegram channel discussed the issue.

One of the strongest signals of trouble is the U.S. decision not to renew special licenses for Russian banks and exchanges, effectively cutting off transactions for Russian oil and gas, particularly in Europe. This move disrupts Moscow’s ability to process payments for its energy exports, adding significant economic pressure at a time when Russian revenues from oil sales have already declined by 15% in February. The financial blockade also raises tensions between Russia and its European buyers, leading to legal disputes over halted transactions.

The lack of an official communiqué from either Washington or Moscow after their latest negotiations has further fueled speculation that no substantial agreements were reached. Observers suggest that the silence indicates not secrecy, but rather a fundamental disagreement on the outcome of the talks. Additionally, Russian state-controlled media has responded with sharp criticism of the negotiations, which often reflects direct messaging from the Kremlin.

Trump’s comments have only added to the uncertainty. In recent statements, he suggested that he is waiting for Putin to “make the right choice,” a phrase that has sparked debate over whether Washington is prepared to increase pressure on Moscow if the ceasefire deal collapses. Meanwhile, diplomatic maneuvering continues, with Turkey requesting an exemption from U.S. sanctions to continue payments for Russian gas. The Biden administration has not responded, but a scheduled meeting between U.S. and Turkish finance ministers may provide insight into how strictly Washington intends to enforce its latest financial restrictions.

Hungary, another player in the geopolitical game, is also being closely watched. With inflation hitting record highs, the Hungarian government has introduced emergency price controls on food, highlighting the broader economic instability triggered by the ongoing crisis. The question remains: will Hungary and Turkey push for exceptions that could undermine Washington’s leverage over Moscow, or will they align with the broader Western stance on tightening restrictions?

For now, Kyiv remains firm in its position. Ukrainian officials have made it clear that they are willing to move forward with peace talks without additional conditions, while Moscow’s hesitation suggests that it is not genuinely committed to a ceasefire. With economic pressure mounting and international patience running thin, the next few weeks will be critical in determining whether Moscow is serious about peace or merely stalling for time.

• Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin stated that Russia agrees with the proposal to cease hostilities in Ukraine but emphasized that “this must lead to a long-term peace.”
• During a meeting with NATO’s Mark Rutte, Trump called Putin’s 30-day ceasefire proposal promising but said it lacked key details.