Krystyna Kazakova21:46, 31.08.25

Analysts note that the US president’s words do not match his actions regarding the war in Ukraine; he has not imposed additional sanctions against Russia.

Given that Russia has not stopped its missile and drone attacks on Ukraine and carried out one of the most massive bombings of Kyiv since the start of the full-scale war, it becomes clear that despite US President Donald Trump’s statements that he can quickly end this war, we are still far from its end, analysts Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Stephen Tian write in a publication for Fortune . 

It is stated that a ceasefire seems unattainable, despite the fact that during a summit in Alaska with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, the head of the White House threatened him with “serious consequences.” 

The publication says that the sanctions imposed on Russia by former US President Joe Biden were significant but not tough enough. In addition, the delivery of military aid to Ukraine was often delayed. 

Despite the tough statements made over the past 8 months that US President Donald Trump is in power, he is still unwilling to put real pressure on the Kremlin leader. 

The publication notes that Trump had all the cards in his hands, but missed the moment when Russia’s collapsing economy had already left the country far from economic superpower status. Therefore, other world leaders are wondering if Trump is just a “dog that barks but doesn’t bite.” 

Senior US administration officials have condemned Russia’s attacks on Ukraine as a “threat to peace.” However, Trump has refused to take any significant steps to punish Putin and force him to stop them. 

Analysts note that Trump undoubtedly understands that verbal rebukes are unlikely to stop the Russian dictator. The publication says that there is a big difference between what the US president says and what he does. Each time the head of the White House does not back up his verbal belligerence with real actions or pressure on Putin. 

So, analysts are wondering whether Putin is playing with Trump to buy more time to defeat Ukraine, or whether the US president is playing everyone else, giving vague assurances and allowing the Kremlin dictator to avoid responsibility. Read also:

It is clear that the Russian president stands to gain the most from this situation, and everyone else loses. With each passing day, as the war in Ukraine continues, the Russian invaders manage to seize more territory and kill more Ukrainians. Moreover, this is happening against the backdrop of the US reducing aid to Ukraine, while its ammunition reserves are running low. 

According to analysts, Trump, who usually likes to create maximum influence for himself, is unwilling or unable to challenge Putin and uses only word games. 

The publication points out that it is not too late to change the situation, but if it continues to develop at this pace, it will be difficult to say who is deceiving whom: Putin of Trump or Trump of us. In any case, the US, the EU and Ukraine have found themselves in a worse position due to the incomprehensible cowardice of the US president. 

(C)UNIAN 2025