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President Trump is pushing for economic pressure on Russia as a strategy to end the ongoing Ukraine conflict, despite years of efforts by Joe Biden’s administration failing to stop the violence. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s Ukraine envoy, emphasized that ending the war won’t come through brute force but through diplomacy and economics. He highlighted that Russia’s high casualties from its invasion, including 800,000 deaths among its own personnel, suggests they don’t prioritize human loss.
Kellogg proposed targeting oil prices as a means to pressure Putin into changing course. Trump has hinted at reducing global oil costs, noting the current price is too high for a ceasefire in Ukraine. He plans to drill more to achieve energy self-sufficiency and lead the global oil market, which would benefit both the U.S. and its allies.
Additionally, Trump considers sending Ukraine military aid funded by frozen Russian assets as another avenue besides direct support. This approach could help Ukraine’s defense industry while aligning with his broader goals of becoming a major world power in energy markets.
While Moscow has criticized Trump’s economic threats, Kremlin spokespeople are waiting for clear signals from Washington to initiate dialogue. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remains optimistic about Trump’s strategy, viewing it as a win for the West over Russia.
This approach aims to leverage economic pressure to shift momentum in favor of peace, marking an evolution in Trump’s strategy towards a more multifaceted effort aimed at global influence and regional stability.
Source: https://nypost.com/2025/01/24/us-news/trumps-ukraine-war-envoy-talks-strategy-as-moscow-brushes-off-tariff-threats