**US Delegation in Moscow Faces Russian Demands for Ceasefire**
A US delegation led by Steve Witkoff, President Trump‘s special envoy to the Middle East, is working on a ceasefire agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Putin has made extensive demands before agreeing to a deal.
Putin wants Ukraine not to mobilize or train troops and not to receive military aid during the proposed 30-day ceasefire. He also wants direct talks with Trump before any agreement can be reached. The US delegation left Moscow early on March 14 after Putin’s comments.
**Trump Faces Pressure to Respond**
President Trump has been praised for making harsh demands on Ukraine, but he has avoided putting similar pressure on Russia. Now, attention turns to whether Trump will continue his trend of appeasement or double down and force Russia to accept a deal.
Experts warn that if Trump continues to make concessions, it would be a mistake. “Trump is going to look like a world-class fool if he lets Putin get away with saying no to this proposal,” said John Herbst, the US ambassador to Ukraine under George W. Bush.
**Possible Response: Increasing Sanctions**
One potential response from the US could be increasing sanctions on Russia if they reject the ceasefire proposal. Senator Lindsey Graham has pushed for this option.
Russia has escaped pressure from Trump so far, despite threats of doubling down on Russian sanctions. The US has increased pressure on Ukraine by halting military aid and intelligence sharing until a ceasefire deal was signed.
**Experts Weigh In**
Jenny Mathers, a lecturer in international politics at Aberystwyth University, said that Trump seems to view demands from Russia as reasonable rather than outrageous. However, she also believes that if Putin rejects the deal, Trump could lash out against Russia.
Another expert, Ryhor Nizhnikau, a Russia expert at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, agrees that Putin may be using delay tactics while furthering his goal of “political capitulation” from Ukraine.
**Putin’s Motives**
Sergei Parkhomenko, a Russian-born columnist and political commentator, said that Putin needs this war for its own sake. He believes that war is a way of life, a method of governing the country, and a way of maintaining himself in power.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed similar sentiments, saying that Putin is afraid to say directly that he wants to continue the war and kill Ukrainians.