Ending the wars in Ukraine and Gaza was central to Mr. Trump’s 2024 reelection pitch, during which he persistently pilloried President Joe Biden for his dealing with of the conflicts.
Pause, not peace: Editorial on the Hamas-Israel ceasefire settlement
Yet, like his predecessor, Mr. Trump additionally has been stymied by President Vladimir Putin as he is unsuccessfully pressed the Russian chief to carry direct talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky to finish the conflict that’s nearing its fourth 12 months.
But recent off the Gaza ceasefire, Mr. Trump is displaying new confidence that he can lastly make headway on ending the Russian invasion. He’s additionally signalling that he is able to step up strain on Mr. Putin if he does not come to the desk quickly.
Gaza ceasefire explainer | Video Credit: The Hindu
“Interestingly we made progress immediately, due to what’s occurred within the Middle East,” Mr. Trump mentioned of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Wednesday (October 15, 2025) night as he welcomed supporters of his White House ballroom mission to a glitzy dinner.
Earlier this week in Jerusalem, in a speech to the Knesset, Mr. Trump predicted the truce in Gaza would lay the groundwork for the U.S. to assist Israel and lots of of its Middle East neighbours normalise relations. But Mr. Trump additionally made clear his high overseas coverage precedence now’s ending the most important armed battle in Europe since World War II.
“First we’ve got to get Russia performed,” Mr. Trump mentioned, turning to his particular envoy Steve Witkoff, who has additionally served as his administration’s chief interlocutor with Mr. Putin. “We gotta get that one performed. If you do not thoughts, Steve, let’s deal with Russia first. All proper?”
Trump weighs Tomahawks for Ukraine
Mr. Trump is about to host Mr. Zelensky for talks Friday, their fourth face-to-face assembly this 12 months.
Ahead of the assembly, Mr. Trump has mentioned he is weighing promoting Kyiv long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, which might permit Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory — if Mr. Putin does not settle the conflict quickly. Mr. Zelensky, who has lengthy sought the weapons system, mentioned it could assist Ukraine put the form of strain on Russia wanted to get Putin to have interaction in peace talks.
File image of a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) launched from the guided missile cruiser USS Cape St. George | Photo Credit: Reuters
Mr. Putin has made clear that offering Ukraine with Tomahawks would cross a purple line and additional injury relations between Moscow and Washington.
But Mr. Trump has been undeterred.
“He’d prefer to have Tomahawks,” Mr. Trump mentioned of Mr. Zelensky on Tuesday. “We have lots of Tomahawks.”
Agreeing to promote Ukraine Tomahawks can be a splashy transfer, mentioned Mark Montgomery, an analyst on the conservative Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington. But it might take years to provide and practice Kyiv on the Tomahawk system.
Mr. Montgomery mentioned Ukraine may very well be higher served within the close to time period with a surge of Extended Range Attack Munition (ERAM) missiles and Army Tactical Missile System, generally known as ATACMS. The US already authorized the sale of as much as 3,350 ERAMs to Kyiv earlier this 12 months.
The Tomahawk, with a spread of about 1,600 km, would permit Ukraine to strike far deeper in Russian territory than both the ERAM (460 km) or ATACMS (or 300 km).
“To present Tomahawks is as a lot a political determination as it’s a army determination,” Mr. Montgomery mentioned. “The ERAM is shorter vary, however this might help them put strain on Russia operationally, on their logistics, the command and management, and its pressure disbursement inside a number of hundred kilometers of the entrance line. It will be very efficient.”
Signs of White House curiosity in new Russia sanctions
Mr. Zelensky is predicted to reiterate his plea to Mr. Trump to hit Russia’s economic system with additional sanctions, one thing the Republican, thus far, has appeared reluctant to do.
Congress has weighed laws that will result in harder sanctions on Moscow, however Mr. Trump has largely centered his consideration on pressuring NATO members and different allies to chop off their purchases of Russian oil, the engine fuelling Moscow’s conflict machine.
Waiting for Mr. Trump’s blessing is laws within the Senate that will impose steep tariffs on international locations that buy Russia’s oil, fuel, uranium and different exports in an try to cripple Moscow economically.
Though the president hasn’t formally endorsed it — and Republican leaders don’t plan to maneuver ahead with out his help — the White House has proven, behind the scenes, extra curiosity within the invoice in current weeks.
Administration officers have gone by means of the laws in depth, providing line edits and requesting technical adjustments, in line with two officers with information of the discussions between the White House and the Senate.
That has been interpreted on Capitol Hill as an indication that Mr. Trump is getting extra severe concerning the laws, sponsored by shut ally Sen Lindsey Graham, together with Sen Richard Blumenthal.
A White House official mentioned the administration is working with lawmakers to guarantee that “launched payments advance the president’s overseas coverage aims and authorities.”
The official, who was granted anonymity to debate personal deliberations, mentioned any sanctions package deal wants to provide the president “full flexibility”.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent mentioned Wednesday the administration is ready for better buy-in from Europe, which he famous faces a much bigger menace from Russian aggression than the US does.
“So all I hear from the Europeans is that Putin is coming to Warsaw,” Mr. Bessent mentioned. “There are only a few issues in life I’m positive about. I’m positive he isn’t coming to Boston. So, we are going to reply… if our European companions will be part of us.”
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