Cabot Phillips

So after a spring that saw optimism regarding peace talks, Putin is giving new signs that he's in this war for the long haul.

So after a spring that saw optimism regarding peace talks, Putin is giving new signs that he's in this war for the long haul.

Yeah, over the weekend, Moscow launched a series of air assaults on Ukrainian cities, deploying hundreds of attack drones and dozens of missiles. Those strikes killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more, many civilians, in what Ukraine called the largest aerial bombardment of the entire three-year war.

Yeah, over the weekend, Moscow launched a series of air assaults on Ukrainian cities, deploying hundreds of attack drones and dozens of missiles. Those strikes killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more, many civilians, in what Ukraine called the largest aerial bombardment of the entire three-year war.

In recent months, there had been hopes that a peace deal was soon within reach, but Putin appears to be making clear that he is pushing ahead despite increased threats of sanctions from the West. To that point, U.S. intelligence reportedly shows Moscow is amassing troops near the front line in preparation for a summer offensive. So things could soon get even worse in Ukraine.

In recent months, there had been hopes that a peace deal was soon within reach, but Putin appears to be making clear that he is pushing ahead despite increased threats of sanctions from the West. To that point, U.S. intelligence reportedly shows Moscow is amassing troops near the front line in preparation for a summer offensive. So things could soon get even worse in Ukraine.

In response to those attacks this weekend, President Trump offered arguably his strongest condemnation of Putin to date. Here he is outside Air Force One on Saturday.

In response to those attacks this weekend, President Trump offered arguably his strongest condemnation of Putin to date. Here he is outside Air Force One on Saturday.

And later on social media, the president appeared to make a veiled threat against Putin, writing, quote, I've always said that he wants all of Ukraine, not just a piece of it. And maybe that's proving to be right. But if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia.

And later on social media, the president appeared to make a veiled threat against Putin, writing, quote, I've always said that he wants all of Ukraine, not just a piece of it. And maybe that's proving to be right. But if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia.

It certainly appears that way. With Russia now launching heavier attacks than ever against Ukraine, Trump's cordial tone with Putin is out the window. And it's worth noting this new anti-Putin rhetoric has not exactly led to friendlier relations between Trump and Zelensky. For example, over the weekend, he said that, quote, Zelensky is doing his country no favors by talking the way he does.

It certainly appears that way. With Russia now launching heavier attacks than ever against Ukraine, Trump's cordial tone with Putin is out the window. And it's worth noting this new anti-Putin rhetoric has not exactly led to friendlier relations between Trump and Zelensky. For example, over the weekend, he said that, quote, Zelensky is doing his country no favors by talking the way he does.

Everything out of his mouth causes problems. So while Trump could launch retaliatory sanctions against Moscow, there is a real chance here that he steps back and stays out of all this. Regardless, he's under a lot of pressure to bring an end to this conflict, given his campaign promise to end the war shortly.

Everything out of his mouth causes problems. So while Trump could launch retaliatory sanctions against Moscow, there is a real chance here that he steps back and stays out of all this. Regardless, he's under a lot of pressure to bring an end to this conflict, given his campaign promise to end the war shortly.

So a quick refresher, President Trump slapped 20% tariffs on the European Union during his liberation day. He later slashed them down to 10% for 90 days to allow time for a long-term deal to be reached. But on Friday, he accused the Europeans of being, quote, difficult to deal with, saying, quote, discussions are going nowhere.

So a quick refresher, President Trump slapped 20% tariffs on the European Union during his liberation day. He later slashed them down to 10% for 90 days to allow time for a long-term deal to be reached. But on Friday, he accused the Europeans of being, quote, difficult to deal with, saying, quote, discussions are going nowhere.

So he in turn threatened a 50% tariff on the EU that would kick in June 1st. That seemingly got their attention as European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the White House over the weekend to say, quote, Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively.

So he in turn threatened a 50% tariff on the EU that would kick in June 1st. That seemingly got their attention as European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the White House over the weekend to say, quote, Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively.

And as a result of that new willingness to strike an apparent deal, Trump agreed to pause his tariff hike on the EU until July 9th. So an agreement could be reached.

And as a result of that new willingness to strike an apparent deal, Trump agreed to pause his tariff hike on the EU until July 9th. So an agreement could be reached.