We have to solve Russia. Let's concentrate on Russia first.
Having brokered a fragile peace between Israel and Hamas, Donald Trump now turns the weight of his diplomatic ambition toward the war in Ukraine, a conflict entering its fourth year with no end in sight. The Gaza ceasefire, in Trump's telling, has given him both momentum and moral authority to press Vladimir Putin toward direct talks with Volodymyr Zelenskyy — a meeting that has so far eluded every effort. What unfolds next will test whether the leverage of one peace can be transferred to another, and whether the tools of pressure — missiles, sanctions, and personal diplomacy — can bend a war that has resisted bending.
- Trump returned from the Middle East convinced that brokering the Gaza ceasefire had unlocked new diplomatic capital, and he immediately redirected his envoy Steve Witkoff toward Moscow with a pointed instruction: 'We have to solve Russia.'
- The administration is weighing the sale of long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine — weapons capable of striking deep into Russian territory — a move Putin has explicitly called a red line that would further damage U.S.-Russian relations.
- Military analysts caution that Tomahawks would take years to deliver and require extensive training, making increased supplies of shorter-range ATACMS a more immediately effective tool for disrupting Russian operations near the front lines.
- Behind the scenes, White House officials have been quietly editing Senate legislation that would impose sweeping tariffs on nations purchasing Russian energy and exports — a level of engagement Capitol Hill reads as serious interest, even without a formal endorsement.
- Zelenskyy arrives for a Friday meeting with Trump — their fourth this year — carrying urgent requests for both weapons and sanctions, while the broader question remains whether Gaza's momentum can be made to matter in Moscow.
With the Gaza ceasefire holding and hostage agreements in place, Donald Trump has pivoted to what he calls his primary foreign policy objective: ending the war in Ukraine. Energized by the Israeli-Hamas truce, Trump believes the breakthrough gives him new leverage to push Vladimir Putin toward direct negotiations with Volodymyr Zelenskyy — a meeting he has sought for months without success. Speaking at a fundraiser Wednesday, Trump signaled the shift explicitly, telling envoy Steve Witkoff that Russia would now be the focus of their efforts.
One instrument of pressure under consideration is the sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. With a range of roughly 1,000 miles, the weapons would allow Ukrainian forces to strike far deeper into Russian territory than currently approved systems permit. Trump has suggested he is willing to provide them if Putin fails to move toward peace talks. But analysts note the practical limits: delivery and training would take years, and increasing supplies of shorter-range ATACMS could prove more immediately useful in disrupting Russian logistics and command structures near the front lines.
Putin has warned that Tomahawk sales would cross a red line, yet Trump has shown no sign of retreat. The decision carries as much political symbolism as military consequence. Meanwhile, the White House has been quietly engaging with Senate legislation — co-sponsored by Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal — that would impose steep tariffs on countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, and uranium. Though Trump has not formally endorsed the bill, officials have been reviewing and editing it closely, a signal Capitol Hill interprets as growing seriousness.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent indicated the administration is watching European partners before committing further, noting that any response would be calibrated to allied participation. Zelenskyy meets Trump on Friday, their fourth encounter this year, prepared to press hard for both weapons and sanctions. Whether the momentum of Gaza can be made to move Moscow remains the defining uncertainty.
With the Gaza ceasefire holding and hostage agreements in place, Donald Trump has turned his attention to what he calls his primary foreign policy objective: ending the war in Ukraine. The president arrived back from the Middle East energized, convinced that the momentum from brokering the Israeli-Hamas truce gives him new leverage to push Vladimir Putin toward the negotiating table with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It's a pivot that mirrors Trump's campaign promise to resolve both conflicts quickly, a criticism he leveled repeatedly at Joe Biden's handling of the crises.
Trump's frustration with Putin has been evident for months. Despite multiple attempts, he has failed to convince the Russian leader to sit down directly with the Ukrainian president to discuss ending a war now approaching its fourth year. But something has shifted. Speaking Wednesday evening at a gala fundraiser for a White House ballroom project, Trump suggested the Gaza breakthrough had unlocked new possibilities. "Curiosity, we made progress today because of what happened in the Middle East," he said, referring to the Ukraine conflict. He made clear to his special envoy Steve Witkoff, who also serves as his primary channel to Putin, that Russia would now be the focus. "We have to solve Russia," Trump said. "If you don't mind, Steve, let's concentrate on Russia first."
One tool Trump is considering to apply pressure is the sale of Tomahawk cruise missiles to Ukraine. The long-range weapons system, with a reach of roughly 1,000 miles, would allow Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian territory—far beyond the range of the ATACMS and extended-range ATACMS systems the U.S. has already approved. Zelenskyy has wanted Tomahawks for a long time, and Trump has indicated he's willing to provide them if Putin doesn't move toward peace talks soon. "He'd like to have Tomahawks," Trump said of Zelenskyy on Tuesday. "We have plenty of Tomahawks." The move would be striking, according to Mark Montgomery, an analyst at the conservative Foundation for Defense of Democracies. But it would also take years to actually deliver and train Ukrainian forces on the system. In the near term, Montgomery suggested, increasing supplies of the shorter-range ATACMS would be more immediately useful for pressing Russia operationally—disrupting logistics, command and control, and force dispersal within hundreds of miles of the front lines.
Putin has made clear that providing Tomahawks would cross a red line and damage U.S.-Russian relations further. Trump has shown no sign of backing down. The weapons decision is as much political as military, Montgomery noted, and the shorter-range systems could prove highly effective without the symbolic weight of the Tomahawk sale.
Beyond weapons, the White House is showing quiet interest in Senate legislation that would impose steep tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other exports—an attempt to economically strangle Moscow. Though Trump has not formally endorsed the bill, sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham and Senator Richard Blumenthal, White House officials have been reviewing it closely in recent weeks, offering edits and requesting technical changes. That level of engagement has been read on Capitol Hill as a signal that Trump is taking the sanctions approach more seriously. A White House official said the administration is working with lawmakers to ensure any sanctions package advances the president's foreign policy goals while giving him "complete flexibility."
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested the administration is waiting for Europe to step up. "Everything I hear from the Europeans is that Putin is coming to Warsaw," Bessent said Wednesday. "There are very few things in life I'm sure of. I'm sure he's not coming to Boston. So we'll respond if our European partners join us." Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet Trump on Friday—their fourth face-to-face meeting this year—and is expected to push hard for both the weapons and the sanctions. Whether Trump's Gaza momentum translates into concrete pressure on Moscow remains the open question.
Notable Quotes
Curiosity, we made progress today because of what happened in the Middle East.— Trump, speaking about Ukraine at a Wednesday fundraiser
We have to solve Russia. If you don't mind, Steve, let's concentrate on Russia first.— Trump, to his special envoy Steve Witkoff
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
Why does Trump think the Gaza ceasefire gives him leverage over Putin?
Because it proves he can broker deals. He's claiming success in the Middle East, and now he wants to show he can do the same in Europe. It's partly genuine momentum, partly political theater.
But Putin has already said Tomahawks are a red line. Why would Trump offer them?
To call Putin's bluff. Trump is betting that if he threatens to arm Ukraine with long-range weapons, Putin will come to the table rather than face that escalation. It's pressure disguised as an option.
What about the sanctions legislation? Is Trump actually committed to that?
Not publicly. But the White House is quietly reviewing the bill, editing it, asking for changes. That's the tell. Officials don't do that work unless the president is seriously considering it.
So Zelenskyy's meeting Friday—what's he actually asking for?
Everything. Weapons, sanctions, a commitment from Trump to keep supporting Ukraine. But really, he's asking Trump to prove the Gaza momentum is real and not just a talking point.
What happens if Trump doesn't deliver?
Then Zelenskyy loses his best chance at American pressure on Russia, and the war grinds on. Trump's window to leverage his Gaza success closes fast.