**Polish President Urges Trump to Escalate Economic Pressure on Russia**
In a bid to push for peace in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, Polish President Andrzej Duda has called on US President Donald Trump to use economic measures to pressure Vladimir Putin into negotiations. Duda’s comments come as European leaders express hopes that Trump will use his leverage to persuade Putin to make concessions.
Duda told the Axel Springer Global Reporters Network that only the US president can force Russia to respect certain actions, and that Trump holds the necessary power to confront Moscow’s strategic interests. He emphasized that economic measures could be “very radical” and “very harsh,” but that he believes Trump is capable of implementing them.
The Polish President’s remarks echo previous suggestions from European leaders that Trump should put more pressure on Putin to negotiate a peace deal. This includes backing peace proposals involving Crimea’s loss to Russia, which has been a sticking point in the conflict. However, despite Trump’s initial promise to end the war within 24 hours, his ceasefire push has stalled, and he now avoids setting any deadline.
**Trump’s Peace Efforts Stalled**
Trump’s efforts to broker a peace deal have been met with resistance from Putin, who maintains maximalist demands that effectively call for Ukraine’s capitulation. The Kremlin has made no concessions, despite repeated meetings between Trump envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin in Moscow. In a recent NBC interview, Trump admitted that “maybe it’s not possible” to broker a peace deal, but maintained that the US is still in a good position to settle.
**Escalating Sanctions**
Following his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Rome last month, Trump suggested that new sanctions against Russia were under consideration after Moscow’s continued strikes on civilian areas in Ukraine. Senator Lindsey Graham, an ally of Trump, has introduced legislation that would impose new sanctions on Russia and enforce a 500% tariff on countries buying Russian oil, gas, and aluminum.
This proposal enjoys wide bipartisan support and could intensify economic pressure on Moscow. The move comes as the conflict continues to escalate, with civilian attacks and airstrikes becoming more frequent. Duda’s call for Trump to sanction Russia is part of a growing chorus of voices urging the US president to take a stronger stance against Putin’s actions.
**The Way Forward**
As the situation in Ukraine remains dire, it’s clear that something needs to change. The international community is watching with bated breath as Trump weighs his options on how to respond to Russia’s continued aggression. One thing is certain: the stakes are high, and the consequences of failure will be severe.
In this complex web of geopolitics, Duda’s call for Trump to sanction Russia serves as a reminder that the US president holds significant leverage in pushing for peace. It remains to be seen whether Trump will take bold action or continue to tread cautiously. The world waits with anticipation.
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