Vladimir Putin has made one thing brutally clear—he’s not backing down. After Donald Trump momentarily tossed the ball into Russia’s court, hoping for a ceasefire in Ukraine, the Kremlin’s response left no doubt: Putin still wants to win.
Trump’s latest maneuver—strong-arming Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky into a humiliating submission—briefly created the illusion of progress. With Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing that Kyiv had agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, it seemed like the U.S. president had pulled off a masterstroke. But anyone paying attention knew better.
Putin played along just enough to keep Trump guessing. The Russian leader smiled for the cameras, spoke of “lasting peace,” and let Trump revel in the idea that he was on the verge of brokering a historic deal. But then came the cold reality: Moscow wasn’t interested. The Kremlin dismissed the ceasefire, rejected foreign peacekeepers, and made it abundantly clear that Ukraine’s sovereignty remains a non-starter. For Russia, victory means total domination—not compromise.
Now, Trump faces a brutal choice. Will he finally crack down on Putin with the “hell, fire, and brimstone” economic sanctions he once threatened? Will he flip the script and turn against a leader he’s never openly challenged? Or will he, once again, find himself outmaneuvered?
For all his boasts of being a master strategist, Trump has a habit of cornering himself. His erratic trade policies—slapping 200% tariffs on French wines, throwing global markets into chaos, and wavering on economic protectionism—have already sent the Dow and Nasdaq into freefall. Even his most loyal supporters are wondering: Does he have a plan, or is he just making it up as he goes along?
One thing is certain—Putin isn’t waiting to find out.
