[Global Times Special Correspondent in Russia Xiao Xinxin Global Times Special Correspondent in the United States Li Zhi] Reuters said on the 26th that US President Trump stated at a White House cabinet meeting that if Russian President Vladimir Putin refuses to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he is ready to impose severe economic sanctions on Russia.
Trump stressed that the U.S. has the means of “economic sanctions” because it “does not want to get involved in the world war.” he said it would be an “economic war” that would be “bad” for Russia. Trump also called U.S. President Zelensky “not entirely innocent” and considered forcing both sides to peace through costly sanctions or “strong tariff measures.”
According to reports, Trump pointed out that the United States "no longer participates" in funding Ukraine, but is trying to "stop the war" and that NATO is providing funds for Ukraine. The day before, he said that the United States had not yet discussed the details of how to participate in security guarantees for Ukraine, but would help Europe play a major role in a "backup" way.
Witkov, the US special envoy for the Middle East, said on the 26th that he will meet with Ukrainian representatives in New York this week to push for an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He said that the US is in communication with Russia "on a daily basis" and hopes to "find the elements of a peace agreement" "before the end of the year or earlier". Witkov believes that Putin has "made sincere efforts" and revealed that Russia has "put on the table" a peace initiative involving the Donetsk region, but the Ukrainian side may not accept it. He said that the complexity of the Ukrainian issue far exceeds the territorial dispute, and the final decision should be made by the Ukrainian side, not the United States.
Zelensky said on Thursday that U.S. and U.S. teams will meet this weekend to discuss the possibility of peace talks between U.S. and Russia. On Thursday, Zelensky said on social media that he had spoken to Finnish President Stubb on the same day, saying the two sides were building a framework to provide a strong multilateral security for Ukraine, and that Europe, the United States and other partners would be involved, and that it was time to determine priorities and deadlines in the form of leaders' talks.
Russia emphasized its willingness to peacefully resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict through political and diplomatic means. According to RIA Novosti, Russian Presidential Press Secretary peskov said on the 27th that high-level or highest-level contacts between Russia and Ukraine must be fully prepared. Russia appreciates Trump's efforts to promote peace and believes that the work carried out by the two countries on the Ukrainian issue should be conducted in a private form. He also said that Russia has a "negative attitude" towards the deployment of European "peacekeeping forces" in Ukraine, saying that the expansion of NATO's military infrastructure is one of the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis. According to reports, Russia's first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations Polyansky said on the 26th that any "security guarantee" should apply not only to Ukraine, but also to Russia, and European security cannot be at the expense of Russia's security.
Western countries are also discussing the issue of "security". The British "Financial Times" stated that the United States still opposes sending its own ground troops to Ukraine, but is willing to provide "strategic support forces", including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, command and control, and air defense forces. The draft formulated by Western countries includes the establishment of a demilitarized zone, which may be patrolled by third-country peacekeeping forces with the consent of Russia and Ukraine. Subsequently, there will be a Ukrainian unit armed and trained by NATO military forces to defend. At the same time, a European-led "deterrent force" will penetrate deep into Ukraine as the third line of defense, with the United States providing backup support. However, Russia opposes the deployment of any Western troops in Ukraine, and Europe is also worried that sending troops to Ukraine may trigger a large-scale conflict. The British "Guardian" stated on the 27th that European countries are cautious about sending troops to Ukraine because they are worried that the United States may terminate intelligence sharing at any time, and each country itself is facing economic and political pressure and lacks the ability to independently contain Russia.
At the same time, the EU has limited space for sanctions against Russia. The US “Political News Network” said that the EU is drafting the 19th round of sanctions against Russia, but the lack of new effective means will put more hope on the United States. The EU may restrict the free passage of Russian diplomats in the Schengen area, but may not involve energy exports. In comparison, the US “secondary sanctions” against Russia will increase pressure on the Russian economy. If the Russian-Ukrainian peace talks fail, Trump will either retain this option, but Russia is not afraid of his threats.
The Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday that the Russian military had controlled a settlement in the Donetsk region and launched an offensive in several directions.