Political and Journalistic Analysis: Trump is Losing Patience with Putin, but the Leverage Has Yet to Be Determined
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled that his patience with Russian leader Vladimir Putin is rapidly running out. At the same time, no clear plan of action has yet been formulated regarding the next steps in response to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and the situation around the Kremlin. In this context, the insights from analysts and sources close to the U.S. administration suggest that Trump remains indecisive, although he shows some signs of disappointment and dissatisfaction with Putin’s stance. According to Politico, the American leader openly describes the Russian ruler as "playing with fire," actively criticizing his reluctance or inability to engage in serious peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Journalists report that Trump believes Putin is acting indifferently and even provoking the world towards a large-scale conflict by refusing dialogue and avoiding compromises. Moreover, he is disappointed by the Kremlin’s cool attitude toward his own proposals for resetting relations after a potential settlement, leaving him in a state of uncertainty. Sources indicate that Trump personally and his team are still debating whether to impose additional sanctions on Moscow, considering the escalation of Russian military attacks on Ukrainian positions. Four sources within the U.S. leadership confirmed that no concrete decisions have been made yet. Meanwhile, U.S. international allies, especially European countries, are increasingly concerned that Trump’s desire to reduce pressure on Russia could lead to ignoring the issue altogether or showing unwarranted leniency toward Putin, thereby leaving Ukraine more vulnerable. Political analysts note that from the early days of his administration, Trump made independent and contradictory statements regarding Russia. It is also known that he repeatedly threatened Moscow with sanctions; however, in practice, such threats rarely translated into real actions, and targeted systemic pressure was never implemented. Even amid current events, where Putin intensifies shelling of Ukrainian cities and attacks civilian infrastructure, the 45th president has yet to confirm any specific strategy for punishing Russia or bolstering Kyiv’s support. Notably, sources describe how Trump observes the situation during closed-door meetings with European leaders, justifying Putin’s refusal with possible fears of new sanctions or economic restrictions from the U.S. and the EU. At the same time, he is said to have indicated that he personally opposes these measures and that his goal is to pressure Putin into acting without additional coercion and by his own will, hoping this approach will lead to peace. Our interlocutors emphasize that there remains a division among U.S. elites regarding sanctions. On one side is a group of Republicans actively supporting the likelihood of new restrictions; on the other are those warning about potential consequences for their own companies and U.S. interests. It is known that Senate leaders and congressional representatives agree on bipartisan support for sanctions measures, but specific positions from Trump are awaited. If he publicly opposes these sanctions, it could cause internal conflict within Republican ranks or even deter their support for his policies. Meanwhile, European diplomatic circles and military analysts focus on the Kremlin’s tactical strategy. They observe that Moscow seems to attempt to divide prospects for ending the war and the bilateral relationship with the U.S. — viewing these as two separate issues that can develop independently. It appears that Putin and Trump see an opportunity for economic and political rapprochement amid international tensions, offering additional avenues for a nuanced approach. The background of the situation is rooted in a series of sharp statements by Trump about Putin, including claims that he "went crazy" and that any attempt to seize all of Ukraine would lead to Russia’s destruction. Amid this context are Trump's emotional speeches and remarks on dissatisfaction with the Kremlin leader’s behavior, as well as uncertainty about Putin’s current ambitions. According to the latest reports, the frontline situation remains tense. Since the night of May 25, Russian forces launched a large-scale combined attack on Ukraine, involving over 360 munitions. Thirteen regions were affected — more than 80 residential buildings were damaged, and casualties reached 12 killed and 60 wounded. European Union officials and Ukrainian military representatives are calling for decisive international action. EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Maternova, emphasized that Russia is demonstrating cynicism and audacity, mocking Western efforts to achieve peace. Germany’s Foreign Minister, Olaf Waddinger, called for a firmer response and stressed that Putin must feel the cost of his war. Overall, the situation leaves many questions unanswered and highlights the ongoing core issue of how the U.S. and their European allies can contain and stop Russia’s escalation — and what role Trump himself will play in this struggle. At the same time, international pressure coupled with domestic political struggles within the U.S. create additional background for the future development of events in this tense crisis.