Ex-Ambassador on Trump-Putin Call: Ceasefire Deal Didn't Go Far Enough

Limited Ceasefire Agreement

• 🤝 President Trump and President Zelenskyy agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, which Trump then presented to President Putin.
• ⚡ President Putin agreed to a limited version of this, specifically halting attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure for 30 days.
• ⚠️ This agreement is seen as a positive step, but it did not go as far as the earlier agreement between Putin and Zelenskyy.

Immediate Violation and Skepticism

• 💥 Shortly after Putin's order to stop attacks on energy facilities, a Russian guided bomb reportedly took out power in a Ukrainian city in the Donest region.
• 📜 Ukrainians have significant experience with Russian ceasefires, citing the Minsk agreements from 2014, which Russia did not comply with.
• 🇪🇺 Europeans are expected to provide support and confidence to ensure the ceasefire is not violated.

Proposed Next Steps for Trump Administration

• 🇺🇦 Ambassador John Herbst suggested that President Trump should make it clear that the U.S. arsenal is open for purchases by Ukraine or Europeans on Ukraine's behalf.
• 💰 Alternatively, weapons could be provided as part of a loan, potentially set against critical minerals.
• 📈 Economic sanctions are another tool, as the Russian economy is described as fragile, with potential for stricter enforcement against issues like the shadow fleet and oil price caps.

Putin's Underlying Goal

• 🎯 President Putin's ultimate objective remains to completely dominate Ukraine.
• 🗺️ He is pursuing this goal step-by-step, and if he can achieve it through a deal that forces Ukraine to give up its sovereignty or ability to defend itself, that is what he is after.