As President Trump prepares for Monday’s critical call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow has launched a massive drone assault on Ukraine—the largest since Putin’s brutal invasion began in 2022. This brazen escalation, involving 273 drones targeting Ukrainian cities, underscores the Kremlin’s strategy of aggression and intimidation just as Trump pushes hard for a ceasefire.
The timing is no coincidence. Ahead of Trump’s diplomatic effort to broker peace, Putin seeks maximum leverage, gambling that by ramping up violence, he can improve his negotiating position. The latest attack left at least one woman dead and several civilians injured—including a four-year-old child—in the Obukhiv region west of Kyiv. This merciless targeting of innocent lives is yet another grim reminder of Putin’s disregard for human life and international norms.
President Zelenskiy, meanwhile, continues his diplomatic dance with American officials after his disastrous February visit to Washington soured relations. Meeting with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome at Pope Leo’s inauguration, Zelenskiy reaffirmed Ukraine’s willingness to engage in “real diplomacy.” Yet, despite good optics and smiling photos, Friday’s face-to-face peace talks between Russia and Ukraine failed, with Moscow demanding conditions Kyiv rightly called “non-starters.”
European allies, including the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Poland, recognize the stakes and have urged Trump to back tougher sanctions against Russia. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz confirmed these leaders will speak to Trump before his Putin call. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed Trump’s firm stance, saying on NBC News, “President Trump has made it very clear that if President Putin does not negotiate in good faith, the United States will not hesitate to up the Russia sanctions along with our European partners.”
Trump, true to his America First agenda, has shifted the U.S. approach from blank-check support for Ukraine to a balanced pursuit of peace. He insists that prolonged foreign conflicts drain American resources and divert attention from critical domestic priorities like our border security, manufacturing revival, and education reform. However, Trump’s pragmatism should not be mistaken for weakness. As he prepares to engage Putin directly, it is clear any deal must be both fair and enforceable, not an appeasement of Kremlin aggression.
Putin’s actions—launching drones into civilian neighborhoods and threatening missile strikes—are calculated provocations designed to test America’s resolve. It is vital Trump maintains a position of strength. Conditions Moscow is demanding for peace, including Kyiv’s territorial concessions and disarmament, amount to outright Ukrainian capitulation. The United States and our allies cannot legitimize such demands. As President Reagan warned us, “Weakness only invites aggression.”
The Biden era of weak diplomacy and dangerous concessions is over. Trump has restored American leadership and credibility, and now he faces a pivotal moment in securing peace without surrender. Zelenskiy has already agreed to Trump’s proposed 30-day ceasefire without conditions. It is Putin who must now demonstrate sincerity. If he rejects this reasonable offer, the global community must respond swiftly and decisively with intensified sanctions and isolation.
America First does not mean America alone. Our European allies must shoulder more responsibility in holding Russia accountable, financially and diplomatically. As Trump engages Putin, he must remind our allies their security depends on their willingness to stand firm against Moscow’s aggression.
Putin’s drone assault is proof positive that he remains an adversary willing to use violence to achieve political ends. Trump’s America First strategy has always meant peace through strength. Now more than ever, the President must ensure Putin knows the cost of continued aggression will far outweigh any gains. The world is watching, and American strength and resolve must lead the way.
