(NEW YORK) – Former RAF Air Vice-Marshal Sean Bell has said that Donald Trump could pressure Russian dictator Vladimir to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine if the US president combined diplomatic incentives with clear military threats. Bell highlighted that past proposals, such as using Tomahawk cruise missiles to target Russian oil and energy infrastructure, could have significantly damaged Russia’s economy and pushed Moscow towards the negotiating table.
Bell said Trump has focused on offering Russia potential economic incentives, such as better trade relations with the US, but has not yet applied strong enough pressure through threats. “Trump could force Putin’s hand and get him around the table,” Bell explained, adding that the Russian dictator’s willingness to discuss peace remains uncertain.
The comments come amid heightened diplomatic activity in Brussels, where NATO foreign ministers met to respond to Russian threats and Moscow’s accusations of Western interference in peace talks. NATO chief Mark Rutte reiterated that the alliance is ready to defend its territory. Meanwhile, the European Commission has proposed seizing frozen Russian assets to fund a 90 billion euro (around $97.5 billion) reparations loan for Kyiv.
Confusion has surrounded recent negotiations. A planned meeting between US envoy Steve Wickoff and Ukrainian officials was briefly called off but has since been rescheduled in Miami. Trump recently met Putin for a five-hour discussion, which yielded no immediate breakthrough. Trump has publicly expressed that Putin is keen to end the war, partly due to Russia’s heavy losses on the battlefield.
Bell emphasised that Russia continues to make slow territorial gains in eastern Ukraine, particularly around Donetsk and the belt connecting Russia to Crimea. Analysts estimate that if Russia attempts to capture remaining key towns such as Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, it could take up to three years. Bell warned that Ukraine cannot afford a prolonged battle of attrition against a far larger Russian military and must rely on Western high-tech weapons to maintain its defensive advantage.
He also noted that Europe must strengthen its defence capabilities. Trump has been critical of NATO countries for underinvesting in defence, arguing that Europe should bear more responsibility for its security. Bell described the current moment as a wake-up call for European armed forces and stressed the importance of continued Western support for Ukraine.
