**US-Russia Ties Reach Crisis Point: Head-On Collision Looms**
A popular Russian newspaper, Moskovsky Komsomolets, has warned of a impending head-on collision between the US and Russia over Ukraine. The publication used a train metaphor to illustrate the escalating tensions between President Donald Trump’s administration and Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin.
The “Trump locomotive” is reportedly speeding towards the “Putin locomotive,” with neither side showing signs of slowing down or changing course. The situation has reached a boiling point, with the US increasing pressure on Russia to end its military operation in Ukraine. In response, Moscow has refused to budge, and the Kremlin leader appears determined to achieve victory.
**A Fractured Relationship**
In recent months, it seemed that Washington and Moscow were on track to reboot their bilateral relations. The US sided with Russia at the UN, and President Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, made multiple trips to Moscow for talks with President Putin. However, this honeymoon phase has come to an end.
As tensions escalated over Ukraine, President Trump grew increasingly frustrated with President Putin’s refusal to negotiate a ceasefire. In response, Mr. Trump announced a 50-day ultimatum to the Kremlin leader, threatening sanctions and tariffs if there was no progress. The deadline has since been reduced to ten days, but it remains unclear whether this will lead to any concessions from Moscow.
**Will A Deal Be Possible?**
Despite the dire warnings of a head-on collision, some analysts believe that a deal between Russia and the US is still possible. Steve Witkoff’s upcoming visit to Moscow for talks with President Putin may bring new proposals on the table, offering advantages to both sides in exchange for a resolution to the conflict.
According to some commentators in Moscow, Mr. Witkoff may present “advantageous offers of cooperation” that would facilitate dialogue and encourage the Kremlin to make peace after three-and-a-half years of war. However, this remains uncertain, as President Putin’s maximalist demands on Ukraine have so far not been budged.
**Expert Insights**
In an interview with the BBC, professor Nina Khrushcheva from The New School in New York City expressed doubts about the effectiveness of President Trump’s approach. “Because Donald Trump has changed so many deadlines and he’s twisted one way or another, I don’t think Putin takes him seriously,” she said.
Another expert, Ivan Loshkarev, associate professor of political theory at MGIMO University, Moscow, suggested that Mr. Witkoff may bring a more nuanced approach to the negotiations, emphasizing cooperation rather than confrontation.
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