Context:

President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised to make a decision on Ukraine, claiming it would only take two weeks, a time frame he has used frequently since his first term. Despite these assertions, no definitive actions have been taken, and Trump remains undecided, reflecting his frustration with the ongoing conflict and its complexities. His approach involves considering new sanctions against Russia while weighing the potential impact on peace talks, leaving him hesitant to act decisively. Compounding the issue, Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent actions, including a major aerial assault, have led Trump to question Putin's intentions and express frustration over the lack of progress. The situation is further complicated by European leaders' warnings about Putin's changing demeanor, which Trump has only recently begun to acknowledge, while still maintaining his cautious stance on new sanctions and the overall U.S. role in the conflict resolution process.

Dive Deeper:

• Trump has consistently promised a resolution to the Ukraine conflict within two weeks, a tactic he has employed since at least 2017, though many of these deadlines have passed without action.

• The decision on whether to impose new sanctions on Russia or abandon peace efforts is imminent, as Trump suggests he will know within a fortnight if Putin is serious about ending the war.

• Trump's frustration is evident as the war in Ukraine proves more challenging to resolve than anticipated, with his indecision on military assistance and sanctions reflecting the complexities he faces.

• Despite the lack of concrete actions, Trump has expressed concerns about Putin's recent aggressive military actions, questioning his intentions and acknowledging European leaders' warnings about Putin's changing behavior.

• While considering new sanctions targeting Russia's banking or energy sectors, Trump is wary of jeopardizing potential peace talks and remains undecided about the U.S.'s continued involvement in the conflict.