Paasikivi: Russia Feeling Pressure Amid US Threats Over Ukraine

High tariffs against Russia and its trading partners, as well as "first-class weapons" to Ukraine. This is what US President Donald Trump is threatening with if Moscow does not make peace with Ukraine within 50 days. Russia is already stressed, says military expert Joakim Paasikivi.

» Published: July 14 2025

Paasikivi: Russia Feeling Pressure Amid US Threats Over Ukraine
Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

Share this article

The message comes in connection with a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House on Monday.

An agreement where European countries buy from the US and donate further, will give Ukraine "massive" amounts of "first-class weapons", according to Trump.

A way for the president to have his cake and eat it, says Joakim Paasikivi, former teacher of military strategy at the Defense University.

He appeases parts of the Maga movement (Trump's voter base) by saying that the Europeans do as we say, they stand for security, and I am a good negotiator who gets them to pay. Then we'll see how upset the extreme Maga wing, which is closer to Russia's line, becomes.

Possible shift

He does not want to draw too large conclusions from the message from the capricious Trump. But after several Putin-critical statements in a row, he sees a possible new American line – and growing Russian concern.

Russia is already stressed. The Kremlin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says it is important that the negotiations continue, says Paasikivi.

In Russian social media and elsewhere, there is concern about a qualitative change in arms support to Ukraine, i.e. not just defense systems, but also more long-range weapons that Ukraine can strike with inside Russia.

On Sunday, American time, the US announced that it will resume deliveries of the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine. An important countermeasure against Russia's attempts to "force Ukraine to its knees", according to the military expert.

But it is not possible to defend oneself to victory.

Long-range missiles

It is unclear which potential offensive weapons are included in the agreement, but according to sources to Axios, it may be possible to send American long-range missiles to Ukraine.

From the Russian side, one is forced to redeploy, not least, one's own air defense to protect targets further into the country. If one can then continue to strike at vital war industries from the Ukrainian side – industries, logistics routes, oil industry and more – it will have a good effect together with the sanctions.

Is it conceivable with peace within 50 days?

If one is credible in being able to put force behind the words from the American side, one might – maybe – be able to get a ceasefire agreement that could lead to more qualitative negotiations. But there is nothing in the Russian line so far that suggests it.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Colombian Politician Miguel Uribe Londoño Runs for President After Son's Tragic Death
2 MIN READ

Colombian Politician Miguel Uribe Londoño Runs for President After Son's Tragic Death

Landslide Closes E6 Near Trondheim Norway; Car in Water
1 MIN READ

Landslide Closes E6 Near Trondheim Norway; Car in Water

Court Blocks Trump's Expanded Fast-Track Deportation Plan
2 MIN READ

Court Blocks Trump's Expanded Fast-Track Deportation Plan

Malmer Stenergard Expresses Frustration Over EU's Gaza Response
2 MIN READ

Malmer Stenergard Expresses Frustration Over EU's Gaza Response

White House Efforts Ongoing for Putin-Zelensky Meeting
1 MIN READ

White House Efforts Ongoing for Putin-Zelensky Meeting

Trump's Vision to Transform Washington DC: Safety and Beautification Plans
3 MIN READ

Trump's Vision to Transform Washington DC: Safety and Beautification Plans

Ukraine: Several Injured in Overnight Attacks on Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk
1 MIN READ

Ukraine: Several Injured in Overnight Attacks on Zaporizhzhia and Dnipropetrovsk

Missouri Governor Seeks to Redraw Electoral Districts for GOP Gains
1 MIN READ

Missouri Governor Seeks to Redraw Electoral Districts for GOP Gains

Italian Website Sharing Sexist Images of Politicians Shut Down
1 MIN READ

Italian Website Sharing Sexist Images of Politicians Shut Down

US Denies Visa for Palestinian President Abbas Ahead of UN Meeting
2 MIN READ

US Denies Visa for Palestinian President Abbas Ahead of UN Meeting

France and Germany Boost Ukraine Air Defense Amid Russian Attacks
2 MIN READ

France and Germany Boost Ukraine Air Defense Amid Russian Attacks

Turkey Closes Airspace to Israel Amid Gaza Conflict
1 MIN READ

Turkey Closes Airspace to Israel Amid Gaza Conflict

Trump Ends Kamala Harris' Extended Bodyguard Protection
1 MIN READ

Trump Ends Kamala Harris' Extended Bodyguard Protection

69 Dead as Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Mauritania Coast
1 MIN READ

69 Dead as Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Mauritania Coast

UN Reports 841 Executions in Iran This Year
1 MIN READ

UN Reports 841 Executions in Iran This Year

Gaza Declared a Dangerous War Zone as Ceasefire Canceled
2 MIN READ

Gaza Declared a Dangerous War Zone as Ceasefire Canceled

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Resigns After Conviction
1 MIN READ

Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra Resigns After Conviction

Israel Excluded from UK's DSEI Arms Fair in 2025
1 MIN READ

Israel Excluded from UK's DSEI Arms Fair in 2025

Lithuanian Defense Minister Criticizes Putin at EU Meeting
3 MIN READ

Lithuanian Defense Minister Criticizes Putin at EU Meeting

Trump's Bruised Hand Sparks Health Speculation
2 MIN READ

Trump's Bruised Hand Sparks Health Speculation