Trump should end Russian Ukraine war to boost global economy

The relations between India and the USA have taken a hit due to the imposition of a 50% tariff by US President Donald Trump. Amidst these developments, US Senator Lindsey Graham urged India to use its influence to end the Russia-Ukraine war. He said that if this war ends through India, it will prove to be the most important step in improving relations between India and America.

India is the second largest purchaser of Putin's cheap oil the proceeds of which fuel his war machine. There is the need to end this war in Ukraine justly, honorably and forever. I have always believed India has influence in this matter and I am hoping they will use it wisely."

Russia's Vladimir Putin has offered a "deal" to end the invasion of Ukraine and is "demanding major territorial concessions by Kyiv — and a push for global recognition of its claims — in exchange for a halt to the fighting, according to European and Ukrainian officials." Specifically, he wants the annexation of the Donbas region of Ukraine into Russia to be recognized internationally.

Russia has repeatedly made similar demands in previous efforts to end the war, which Ukraine has flatly rejected. European leaders, too, don't believe this is a serious plan.

The US president said he could end the war within 24 hours of taking office, and for years has expressed admiration and a desire for friendship with Putin, but more recently has grown frustrated as he realizes Russia has no interest in a peaceful resolution that doesn't end in their total victory.

A report today suggested that the US and Russia were aiming for a deal to freeze the war which would hand Moscow Ukrainian land it has seized so far.

Overnight, only hours after the announcement of a bilateral, Russia launched 104 drones across Ukraine, including Kyiv, officials said, with some getting through air defences to destroy homes and injure civilians.

Russia has ramped up attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks, often sending more drones in a single night than it did in entire months last year.

While Russia has little military incentive to end the war and appears to be unserious about negotiations, experts said there was a small chance that Putin might agree a ceasefire, because it would enable him to focus Russian resources on reconstruction or its waning sphere of influence overseas.

After months of offering concessions to Russia at the expense of Ukraine, while blaming Kyiv, halting military aid and speaking warmly of the Russian leader, Trump has belatedly hardened his rhetoric towards Putin.

The US President has made public calls for Putin to cease attacks on Ukraine, and this week imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods in response to New Delhi’s continued imports of Russian oil, which are propping up the Kremlin’s war economy.

Putin was successfully “feigning interest in a peace discussion to keep Trump happy” while maintaining his war aims.

“Russia has dramatically increased the production of drones and missiles in 2025 despite sanctions and all this pressure, and this is what they’re hitting Ukraine with, very hard, each day now.

There’s no doubt that that is going to become more difficult economically in the year ahead. Putin’s calculation is that even if there are some dark clouds on the horizon, things are looking more difficult for Ukraine.

Trump doesn’t want to completely alienate Russia for a variety of reasons. Whatever we think about the invasion, Russia is still a big player, and a strong relationship amongst the Brics is not in Trump’s favour,

The more America pushes Russia away, the more Russia will get to embrace China and India and basically form a very powerful political and economic counterbalance to the Western countries.

Putin understands that even if a peace deal is signed, it’s going to be a lot of work to be done. It’s not very easy to start building when you’re still at war and those places are still within the range of Ukrainian artillery or drones.

He’s also getting old, so he will want to see this through, and probably not just conclude the military campaign, but also conclude the building phase.

Putin may also be motivated to end the war if he feels Russian influence elsewhere is slipping. “While Russia is busy in Ukraine, other countries are slipping out of its orbit, like Azerbaijan, where Turkey is reasserting its position.

Putin does not underestimate Trump because Trump can go any which way at any time. He still carries extraordinary weight and power. And Putin knows that if Trump decided to go all in with Ukraine, that would have a significant impact.