Former American diplomat Kurt Volker expressed skepticism regarding the prospects for achieving genuine peace with Russia
According to him, the likelihood that the conflict could end with mutual understanding and long-term stabilization is very low. Instead, the diplomat emphasized that a prudent step under current conditions is to impose maximum financial pressure on the Kremlin to reduce the Russian leadership’s ability to finance the war and maintain control over occupied territories. Speaking at the GLOBSEC-2025 forum in the Czech Republic on June 13, Volker stated that in order to achieve even a ceasefire (without guarantees of its sustainability or long-term peace), it is necessary to "squeeze" Putin’s financial sources. In his view, economic pressure is the most effective means to weaken the Russian leadership’s capacity to sustain the war without the revenues generated from the oil and gas sectors, as well as other sources that support the regime’s stability. The former U.S. special envoy underscored that U.S. actions should decisively ensure the continuous supply of military equipment to Ukraine, including through paid schemes if necessary, so as not to impose additional burdens on American taxpayers. He also indicated that President Donald Trump could play a significant role in this context, being one of the key figures in the ongoing political discussions around sanctions policy. Volker calls for more active efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities, emphasizing that Russia is actively trying to regroup its troops and strengthen its positions in the temporarily occupied territories. He assures that the goal of the West is not to attack Russia or capture Moscow, but to be prepared for a long and tense confrontation to preserve and regain Ukrainian territories. Commenting on the upcoming sanctions bill currently under review in the U.S. Senate, Volker critically assessed the previous policy of the Biden administration. According to him, three years ago, sanctions were relatively lenient and included numerous exceptions, especially regarding payments to Russian banks for energy supplies. He believes this allowed the Kremlin to maintain financial stability and avoid serious economic pressure, thereby enabling Putin to continue the war. The new package of sanctions, as the diplomat explained, involves more stringent measures: it maintains existing restrictions, closing avenues for sanctions evasion through "shadow fleets," eliminates previous exceptions, and introduces serious sanctions mechanisms for companies and individuals helping Russia circumvent restrictions. Volker is convinced that such measures can create a powerful deterrent mechanism and, combined with policies aimed at reducing global oil prices, significantly undermine the Kremlin’s economic base and its capacity to continue the war. It is worth noting that support for strengthening sanctions measures in the Senate has been expressed by several Republican senators, including Lindsey Graham, as well as some Democrats, such as Richard Blumenthal. They introduced a bill proposing additional economic pressure on Russia in response to the refusal to agree to a truce and to accelerate the conflict’s end. Proposed measures include imposing over 500% tariffs on goods imported from countries supporting Russian oil, expanding the sanctions regime, and tightening capital controls. However, recent media reports suggest potential disagreements regarding the approach to sanctions. Former President Trump has recently announced intentions to ease some sanctions, while emphasizing that he is prepared to impose new restrictive measures if necessary. The politician stresses that the EU and US sanctions regime should be flexible and adaptable depending on the political situation and the development of the conflict, rather than being strictly rigid and non-negotiable. Overall, experts agree that increasing economic sanctions considering current realities remains one of the most effective tools to pressure the Kremlin and expedite the end of the war initiated by Russia against Ukraine. Nonetheless, whether these measures will achieve their desired results and influence the course of Russia’s leadership remains an open question for further diplomatic and economic confrontation developments.