From the Oval Office on Monday, US President Donald Trump delivered a blunt message, more weapons for Ukraine, courtesy of European allies, and looming tariffs on nations still trading with Russia.
It was a shift toward a more hardline approach, one that stopped short of Moscow’s worst expectations.
Yet as Trump took aim, the Moscow stock exchange rose 2.7%.
The market’s reaction revealed a paradox, while Russia expected harsher punishment, the delay in the secondary sanctions set to take effect in 50 days gave the Kremlin a window to regroup. “Trump’s Monday surprise will not be pleasant for our country,” warned Russian tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets, but the Kremlin still appeared relieved.
Trump’s latest moves reflect frustration over Vladimir Putin’s continued rejection of a ceasefire deal. Ending the war in Ukraine had been one of Trump’s stated foreign policy goals since returning to office in January. However, Moscow’s response has remained evasive often acknowledging proposals, then attaching firm conditions.
“Yes, but..,”has become the Kremlin’s refrain. It welcomed Trump’s March ceasefire plan, but demanded a halt to Western military support for Kyiv. It claims to want peace, but only after addressing what it calls the “root causes” threats from NATO and Ukraine, a view rejected by the West, which sees Russia as the aggressor.
Still, for months the US held back on tighter sanctions in the hope of securing a diplomatic breakthrough. Critics say the Kremlin exploited that patience, continuing its war while evading harsher penalties.
Now, with military aid flowing and tariffs looming, Trump has signaled a tougher posture, one that could upend Moscow’s strategy of delay. Yet even as the US president claims to be “not happy” with Putin, the Kremlin is equally disenchanted. Moskovsky Komsomolets summed up Russia’s souring view of Trump bluntly: “He clearly has delusions of grandeur. And a very big mouth.”
As both sides retreat from hopes of détente, one thing appears certain: any peace in Ukraine remains distant and increasingly fraught with frustration on both ends.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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