“Vladimir, I told you in January that if you didn’t stop the war in Ukraine, I would impose sanctions. You ignored me. You are disrespecting me and my presidency. BIG MISTAKE!!!”

Donald Trump’s hardline stance on NATO and the war in Ukraine have pushed European nations to significantly increase their defense spending and preparedness.

This week's prisoner exchange between Russia and Ukraine was the largest since the war’s onset. But skepticism of a lasting truce, and President Trump’s peace-making, remains. Bridget Brink resigned as ambassador to Ukraine in April,

The recent (May 19th) phone call between President Trump and Vladimir Putin, along with talk of imminent peace negotiations for Ukraine, is largely theatrical posturing rather than a substantive breakthrough.

The Russian leader Vladimir Putin is not giving up on his goal of winning in Ukraine. Despite significant losses and a prolonged conflict, Putin's strategy remains unchanged, according to the annual 2025 Worldwide Threat Assessment report prepared by the US Defense Intelligence Agency for the US Congress.