During a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference, the Trump administration's Russia-Ukraine envoy highlighted the necessity for Russia to make concessions in order to bring an end to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The concessions, as mentioned by the envoy, would primarily revolve around territorial matters and potentially involve the renunciation of the use of force.
The American diplomat emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to reduce the size of his military forces. However, the US aims to exert pressure on Russia by pushing for actions that Putin may find uncomfortable.
One of the strategies proposed by the US envoy involves disrupting Russia's alliances with countries like Iran, North Korea, and China, which have strengthened in recent years. Additionally, the US plans to target Putin's oil revenue through stricter sanctions, as a significant portion of Russia's funding for the war reportedly comes from the petrochemical sector.
According to the envoy, the effectiveness of current Western sanctions on Russia is rated relatively low, prompting the need for more impactful measures to weaken Moscow's economic stability.
Highlighting the historical context, the envoy argued against the notion of attempting to resolve conflicts solely through military means. He referenced Russia's past willingness to endure significant losses in conflicts such as the Battle of Stalingrad during World War II and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Amidst growing uncertainty among allies regarding the US approach to resolving the conflict, top Trump administration officials are set to engage in peace talks with Russian counterparts in the near future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed concerns about the level of US support for Europe and raised questions about President Trump's interactions with President Putin.
