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Zelenskiy Demands 200,000 Peacekeepers For Security Guarantee; Trump’s Ultimatum To Putin – Sanctions Loom, But Will Putin Yield Or Defy?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, has made a bold call for at least 200,000 European peacekeepers to secure Ukraine after any potential ceasefire with Russia. That’s a number equal to the entire French armed forces, and Zelenskiy insists it’s the bare minimum needed to prevent another Russian attack.
This push comes as a renewed focus on ending the war, with U.S. President Donald Trump back in office and promising a swift resolution—though he hasn’t revealed exactly how he plans to achieve that.
Zelenskiy -Trump Meeting
Zelenskiy revealed that efforts are underway to arrange a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump stating that the teams are working on it and the process is ongoing. Meanwhile, Zelenskiy firmly rejected any Russian demands to slash Ukraine’s military strength, predicting that President Vladimir Putin would push for Ukraine to cut its forces to just a fifth of their current size. “This is what he wants. We will not allow this to happen,” Zelenskiy declared.
Zelenskiy has also urged Europe to step up as a global power capable of guaranteeing its own security. He criticized Europe’s limited influence over Washington, suggesting that the U.S. views its allies as falling short in their defense contributions. “Does anyone in the United States worry that Europe might stop being their ally someday? The answer is no,” he said pointedly.
Zelenskiy echoed Trump’s earlier calls for NATO members to allocate 5% of GDP to defense spending. “If 5% is what it takes to ensure security, then so be it. But let’s not play games and suggest this should come at the expense of healthcare or pensions—that’s just not fair,” he added.
War Rages On
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to escalate. Ukraine launched a wave of drone strikes into Russia, igniting a blaze at an oil depot in the Voronezh region and causing explosions at an aviation plant in Smolensk that reportedly produces military aircraft.
In Voronezh, Ukraine said it struck an oil depot near Liski for the second time in a week, targeting fuel supplies for Russian troops. In Smolensk, Ukrainian forces claimed responsibility for explosions at the plant, though Russian authorities attributed the damage to debris from downed drones. Online footage seemed to corroborate Ukraine’s version of events.
Russia, on its part, claimed it intercepted 55 Ukrainian drones overnight, while Ukraine reported that Moscow fired 131 drones, decoys, and missiles at its territory.
Trump’s Sanction Threats
Donald Trump has hinted that the U.S. could impose fresh sanctions on Russia if President Vladimir Putin continues to refuse talks on ending the war in Ukraine. Speaking on Monday, Trump urged Putin to make a deal, suggesting that by not negotiating, he’s “destroying Russia.” While Trump didn’t go into specifics, he confirmed that discussions with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Putin are in the works. “We’re going to look at it,” Trump said, emphasizing that both sides would be engaged soon.
Trump also revealed that he had urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to intervene and help end the war. “He’s got a lot of power, like we have a lot of power. I said, ‘You ought to get it settled,’” Trump said, although he noted that Xi had not yet taken significant action on the matter. In Moscow, Kremlin officials confirmed that Putin and Xi discussed a potential peace deal and Trump’s involvement.
Reflecting on the past, Trump claimed that Russia would never have invaded Ukraine under his presidency. “I had a very strong understanding with Putin. That would have never, ever happened,” Trump said, adding that Putin disrespects Biden and that’s why the war unfolded. He also expressed concern over the U.S. sending weapons to Ukraine, urging the European Union to take on a larger role in supporting the country.
Hope Rises
In Kyiv, there’s a mixture of hope and skepticism regarding Trump’s potential to bring the war to an end. But many think that a deal is unrealistic and that its all talk with no real action.
Still, they are others who remain more hopeful, with some stating that having watched the inauguration, Trump impressed many citing the fact that even the Israel Gaza war has come to its ideal conclusion with a ceasefire.
The Frontline Struggle
Meanwhile, the situation in Chasiv Yar, a frontline stronghold, is dire. Over 200 Ukrainian civilians, including the elderly, disabled, and their carers, remain trapped under heavy Russian assault. Ukrainian forces can no longer provide food or shelter due to the ongoing attacks, though they still control a former brick factory after repelling a recent Russian attempt to take it. Russian troops are advancing toward the factory with small assault groups, further complicating the situation for the remaining civilians.
Russia’s Response
Russia continues to make gains in eastern Ukraine. On Tuesday, the Russian defense ministry announced the capture of Volkove, a small settlement in Donetsk with a pre-war population of just a few dozen. Meanwhile, in Kupiansk, a Russian drone strike injured three Ukrainian policemen and two elderly civilians. Russian forces are reportedly about 2 kilometers outside the town. Additionally, Russia has targeted railway infrastructure in southern Donetsk, wounding three staff members in the process.
As both sides continue to clash, the world watches to see if Trump’s intervention can lead to peace—or if the conflict will intensify further.
Will Putin Yield To Trump’s Threat Of More Sanctions?
If we think about the scenario of Putin potentially yielding to Trump’s sanctions threat or continuing on his path, a few factors come into play.
1) Putin’s Strategic Stance and National Pride
Putin has shown a deep commitment to his geopolitical goals, particularly in Ukraine. His nationalistic stance is heavily intertwined with Russia’s identity, and his government has often used the narrative of resisting Western influence as a rallying cry.
Sanctions, though impactful, have already been imposed by the West since the beginning of the war, and Russia has found ways to mitigate their effects, such as turning to alternative markets, notably China and India (although fresh sanctions were levied by the Biden administration on Russian oil). Still, this could make Putin more resistant to external pressure, viewing any concession as a sign of weakness.
2) Trump’s Influence and the Sanction Threat
While Trump has positioned himself as someone who could negotiate a peace deal with Putin, it’s important to recognize that the leverage Trump has, especially in the context of sanctions, may not carry the same weight. While Biden was in power the ‘sanctions game’ has already been played.
Putin likely views Trump’s threats as part of the broader U.S. political game, rather than a significant new risk. Sanctions are already in place, and Putin might not see additional ones as a game-changer.
3) Russia’s Resilience to Economic Pressure
Putin has shown an ability to endure economic hardship, bolstered by a resilient Russian economy that has adapted to sanctions over the years. While the war has undeniably strained Russia’s economy, the Kremlin has taken steps to diversify trade, increase domestic production, and create alliances with countries less critical of its actions, such as China, India and North Korea.
Russia’s vast energy resources and strategic positioning on the global stage mean that sanctions alone are unlikely to force a dramatic change in its behavior, especially if it can rely on these alternative economic partners.
4) The Internal Political Ecosystem
Putin’s internal political support is a crucial factor in this scenario. While there are signs of growing dissatisfaction among some segments of the Russian population, the Russian president has maintained a firm grip on power through control over media, suppression of opposition, and leveraging nationalism.
Therefore, as long as he can maintain the stance that Russia is fighting against external threats, he might be able to continue without significant internal pressure to change course. However, any economic deterioration could start to erode support, particularly among the elites, which could push Putin to reconsider his stance—though that would likely come as a last resort.
5) Trump’s Track Record with Putin
Trump has historically shown a preference for a more amicable relationship with Putin. His administration’s stance was often more lenient toward Russia compared to Biden’s. Trump’s ability to directly influence Putin might be stronger than any sanctions threat, especially if he offers an off-ramp for Russia that doesn’t involve severe economic consequences.
Putin may view a deal with Trump as an opportunity to secure some sort of face-saving exit from the conflict. However, this also depends on Trump’s willingness to engage in meaningful negotiations, something that remains unclear at this point.
The Last Bit
The scenario of putting an end to the Russian-Ukraine conflict largely depends on the weight Putin places on his long-term strategic goals versus the immediate consequences of further escalation.
If Putin feels cornered or that Russia’s internal stability is at risk, he might entertain negotiations or even yield to some degree. However, given his track record and the way Russia has withstood sanctions thus far, it seems more likely that he will continue his course, calculating that the cost of capitulating is higher than maintaining the war effort, at least in the short to medium term.
Putin’s ability to absorb sanctions, maintain internal support, and keep his geopolitical ambitions intact makes it likely he will try to carry on, despite Trump’s threats. However, if the pressure intensifies—either from within Russia or from external sources like Europe or China—he could be forced to reassess his position. In that case, Trump’s threat of sanctions could play a role, but it’s unlikely to be the sole determining factor in any potential shift in strategy.
As the idea of a peacekeeping force circulates and Trump’s next moves remain unclear, the world waits to see whether this latest push will bring peace to Ukraine—or just more questions. For now the diplomatic talks remain in limbo.
