President Donald Trump’s two-week ultimatum on the Ukraine war is reverberating across Eastern Europe, putting immediate pressure on leaders in both Kyiv and Moscow. The decision to either impose “massive sanctions” on Russia or step back from the conflict has created a new sense of urgency.
For Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who recently met Trump at the White House, this presents both an opportunity and a risk. The U.S. pressure could force Russia to the negotiating table, but a U.S. withdrawal could leave Kyiv in a more vulnerable position.
For Russian President Vladimir Putin, the ultimatum forces a difficult choice. He can either acquiesce to Trump’s demand for a summit with Zelensky or defy the U.S. and risk further economic isolation. His public praise for Trump suggests he is leaning towards engagement.
Putin’s accompanying remarks on sovereignty, however, indicate that he will not be seen as caving to U.S. pressure. He framed the issue as existential for Russia, signaling that any agreement must be on terms that Moscow can portray as a defense of its national interests.