End of the Putin Era: Trump’s New Challenge and Potential Consequences for Russia
Amid recent developments, it appears that Vladimir Putin's influence on the political and military stage is rapidly waning.
U.S.
President Donald Trump, who has re-entered the political arena with renewed strength, is openly signaling his intention to reset the rules of engagement with Moscow.
By issuing a fresh ultimatum, he has put Russia at a crossroads: to take steps toward peace or face stringent economic sanctions, including secondary tariffs and energy restrictions.
While these measures seem decisive, the question remains—is Putin willing to accept such demands? Recent Russian actions suggest otherwise: just hours before Trump’s announcement, Moscow launched a missile and drone attack on Ukraine, prompting Poland to scramble fighters to defend its airspace.
Analyst Samuel Ramani points out that Putin’s challenge to Washington could prove to be a costly mistake.
It is believed he expected that a Trump return to power would halt U.S.
support for Ukraine, thereby opening a path for Russia's further aggression.
However, these assumptions proved false.
Trump explicitly identified Russia as the main obstacle to peace in Ukraine and is now developing a tough policy of deterrence.
In response, Kremlin spokesman Peskov declared the war would continue, while Trump, supporting military aid to Ukraine, emphasized that such aid would mainly be provided by NATO allies.
Increasing economic pressure from the U.S.
might severely impact Putin’s military machinery.
Despite sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow oil fleet and Chinese banks supporting Moscow’s military efforts, evasion tactics persist.
If the U.S.
enacts broad secondary tariffs on all Russian energy buyers and closes loopholes, a severe macroeconomic shock could ensue, affecting the global energy market.
The situation is increasingly volatile—will Putin withstand these pressures, or will the scenario of unfulfilled promises and escalation become a reality? Experts warn that history could repeat itself, potentially prolonging conflict and causing widespread instability with unpredictable consequences worldwide.