(MOSCOW) – Russian state television broadcasters have dismissed the significance of potential new US sanctions, while simultaneously acknowledging that Washington possesses substantial leverage it has chosen not to deploy against Moscow.
Speaking on the state programme “60 Minutes,” Alexei Naumov, an expert affiliated with the Russian Council on International Affairs, described the latest proposed sanctions legislation as inconsequential. He argued that US President Donald Trump would require political will to meaningfully pressure Russia, and that such will is conspicuously absent.
“The main thing Donald Trump would need if he wanted to punish or at least intimidate Russia is political will,” Naumov said. “There are quite a lot of levers in the American president’s arsenal that he could pull if he wanted to apply pressure on Russia, but this is not happening. Why? Because he does not want it.”
Naumov claimed that the United States has effectively adopted what he characterised as a Russian perspective on the dynamics of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He cited recent comments by Jared Kushner, whom he described as a rare commentator compared with Steve Witkoff, as evidence. According to Naumov, Kushner stated that only the territorial question remains and that Ukraine should simply agree to terms.
The programme also referenced remarks attributed to Sergei Vyacheslavov, who reportedly said that if the Americans had not departed from the Anchorage position, there would already have been a year without war.
Naumov described current conditions as an “ideal storm” from Russia’s perspective, citing approaching winter, Ukraine’s lack of interceptor missiles and Kyiv’s need for funds. He predicted that the current period of escalation will eventually lead to de-escalation, but not immediately.
“We will see an intensification of these strikes, mutual strikes unfortunately,” he said. “Ukraine will also activate. They are capable of continuing resistance. They are paying much attention to ballistic missiles they hope to deploy soon.”
Western observers have noted some localised Ukrainian successes on the front line, according to Naumov, which he said gives Kyiv grounds to believe it can hold out. However, he reiterated that both objective reality and American assessments are tilting towards Russia.
“It is pleasant that they adequately assess the situation and speak very well, laying it on softly, but the war continues,” Naumov said.
The discussion turned to why Washington has not used its considerable leverage over Kyiv. Naumov noted that Trump has expressed frustration, reportedly telling Ukrainian officials to stop striking Russian diesel installations because Ukraine will lose the war regardless.
“They have levers of pressure but they do not press,” Naumov said. “They cannot press actively and directly. Trump must look like the main hero. Let them press passively. He cannot just kick Zelensky.”
He compared the American posture to watching “a railway catastrophe in slow motion,” with Washington understanding the outcome but refraining from direct intervention.
Host Olga Skabeeva interjected throughout, pressing Naumov on when the conflict might conclude and expressing scepticism about US inaction. Naumov maintained that winter will be decisive and that a return to peace is near.
“The main pressure is in the hands of our country and our army,” Naumov said. “But we are talking about Washington’s actions, and there are no actions.”
The broadcast concluded with Skabeeva noting the absence of anti-Russian actions from Washington, which she described as equally important.
Be First to Comment