Former Trump National Security Council chief of staff Fred Fleitz said Saturday on Newsmax that there will be no real progress toward ending the war in Ukraine without significantly more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, arguing that diplomacy will stall unless the United States and its partners tighten sanctions and increase military leverage.
Fleitz, speaking on "America Right Now," said the United States and Europe are not fully aligned as Washington pushes U.S.-led peace talks aimed at ending the fighting.
"Of course, Europe is an important partner for the United States, but I don't think we're on the same page right now. I think we've been moving in different directions, that is, Europe and Ukraine versus the U.S.," he said.
"I'm glad that Ukraine is talking. I think the Trump administration is trying to make the case that this will be an imperfect deal.
"Ukraine will have to make some painful compromises. Maybe we'll iron some of that out during this meeting. But the problem remains is Putin.
"Putin does not want peace. He's actually accelerating the war. And although we may get Zelenskyy closer to where we want, I don't think we're going to get there in the immediate future until we put a lot more pressure on Putin," he said.
Fleitz’s remarks came after leaders in Britain, France, and Germany spoke with President Donald Trump on Thursday about the status of the peace effort.
The British prime minister spoke with Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
The leaders discussed the latest on the US-led talks and welcomed efforts they said were aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace for Ukraine and ending the killing.
"We discussed Ukraine in pretty strong words," Trump told reporters when asked about the phone call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
"I think we had some little disputes about people, and we're going to see how it turns out. And we said, before we go to a meeting, we want to know some things," Trump added.
Fleitz also pointed to Moscow’s stated ceasefire condition that Ukraine’s army pull out of the Donbas, and said Putin’s posture suggested he would not negotiate seriously without outside pressure.
"Well, Putin's position has been so irrational because he doesn't recognize Ukraine as a state or Ukrainians as a separate people. When you're dealing with someone so irrational, you're going to put a lot of pain on him and his country."
"I think we need substantial economic and energy sanctions. We really are going to have to make the Russian people suffer before he's going to give in. I think it's going to take stronger weapons, longer-range missiles, and sanctions that are not just by the U.S., but also by Europe, India, and China," he said.
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Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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