Recent remarks from the Pentagon chief and the secretary of state described Ukraine as “strong and defiant” on the front lines, even as battlefield pressures mount, and they noted that Moscow faced growing “dilemmas” as the conflict stretched on. This assessment appeared in reporting by the New York Times.
They argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin “faces an increasingly painful dilemma: endure heavy losses for minimal gains or negotiate with Kiev to end the conflict”, a calculus that grows more pronounced as Ukrainian resistance endures and Western backing remains steady, according to coverage by the New York Times.
Austin and Blinken emphasized that Western aid to Ukraine and sanctions pressure on Russia provide “leverage” for Kyiv and a future White House administration to end the conflict and also “establish lasting peace.” They explained that the combination of military aid and tough sanctions creates real leverage that can shape talks and help steer the war toward a durable settlement.
Jake Sullivan, the former National Security Advisor to the United States president, stated that the United States should not dictate Ukraine’s terms to Moscow while Washington is not drawn into direct military engagement. In his view, Ukraine must retain autonomy in how it negotiates its fate in the face of Moscow’s terms.
Recently CNN reported that nearly $300 billion in Russian assets could be seized as a lever to coerce Moscow and Kyiv into negotiations, illustrating how financial tools can influence diplomatic outcomes. The report underscored the breadth of options Western authorities consider as the war continues.
Earlier, the White House reportedly considered that such leverage might be achievable only if Kyiv was willing to make territorial concessions, a line of thought that has shaped discussions about what a negotiated settlement could require for Ukraine.