By Rick klay
The Ukrainian delegation, led by Chief of Staff Andrei Yermak, recently traveled to Washington amid a noticeable shift in congressional sentiment: public support is growing for new sanctions against Russia. Yet despite this momentum, President Trump appears to be struggling to craft a compelling follow-up to the current sanctions regime or introduce decisive new measures.
Arms deliveries to Ukraine—authorized during the previous U.S. administration—are reportedly nearing their conclusion. This impending end to critical weapons shipments provides Russia with a strategic opening to prolong its military campaign. One reason Moscow continues to stall ceasefire talks is precisely because the pipeline of U.S. weapons may soon dry up, and no new aid packages have been initiated under the current administration.
The Ukrainian delegation’s visit is likely aimed at addressing this gap, though Yermak has previously fumbled in his dealings with the Trump administration. Whether he has adjusted his approach remains to be seen.
At the same time, Ukraine has escalated its attacks, giving Russia further incentive to avoid genuine negotiations. The Kremlin has made clear its disinterest in any trilateral or bilateral meetings involving the U.S. and Ukraine. Meanwhile, it is important to recognize that Russia has failed to capture a single major strategic military objective since 2022.
Ultimately, two factors could break President Putin’s resolve: the depletion of Russia’s economy or the exhaustion of its heavy weapons systems. Aware of these looming risks, Putin appears determined to buy time.
This is where the deception deepens. Putin’s slow-walk approach to ceasefire talks is not a sign of goodwill but a calculated maneuver. By feigning progress, he seeks to convince President Trump that additional arms shipments to Ukraine are no longer necessary. This is a strategic ruse aimed at eroding U.S. support.
The Kremlin’s calculation is simple: if America pulls back, Ukraine will face military exhaustion faster than Russia. Putin is betting that dragging out the process will lead to the abandonment of Ukraine before Russia hits its breaking point.
What appears to be diplomacy is, in fact, manipulation—and the stakes could not be higher.
