Vitaliy Portnykov: Trump's Plan to Pressure Ukraine and Russia Is a Flawed Path to Peace.

Criticism of Trump's Approach to the Ukraine War

According to TSN.ua: Ukrainian journalist and commentator Vitaliy Portnykov has criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed approach to ending the war in Ukraine. Portnykov argues that pressuring both Kyiv and Moscow is misguided. His comments follow Trump's recent claim that he could end the conflict within four months if re-elected.

Portnykov contends that a real end to the war depends solely on a decision from the Kremlin. He emphasized that pressure must be applied exclusively on Russia, stressing the necessity of:

• continuing aid to Ukraine;
• imposing new sanctions;
• providing long-range weaponry.

Only under these conditions, the journalist believes, can genuine preconditions for peace emerge.

“The pressure must be on Russia. Help Ukraine, impose new sanctions, provide long-range weapons. Only then will real preconditions for peace appear.” - Vitaliy Portnykov

He also noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin could end this war as easily as he started it. “If he decides to 'simply stop shooting,' the war will end without any pressure on Ukraine,” Portnykov added. This perspective highlights the fundamental asymmetry of the conflict, where one side is the aggressor and the other is defending its sovereignty.

A Crucial Trilateral Meeting Approaches

These statements come ahead of a new trilateral meeting between Ukraine, the United States, and Russia, scheduled for February 17-18 in Geneva. This important event could mark another step in the search for paths to a peaceful settlement.

Vitaliy Portnykov's comments underscore the critical importance of sustained international support for Ukraine within the context of peace negotiations. His position on the need to pressure Russia may influence the strategies considered during the upcoming Geneva meeting. The emphasized points regarding aid to Ukraine and new sanctions could prove pivotal in determining the international community's next steps toward resolving the conflict.