Whitaker answered in this way during an interview on Newsmax television to the question of what the Russian leader thinks in the face of the possibility of imposing new sanctions and exchanges of nuclear threats from the USA.
– It is impossible to understand what is in Putin's mind because he is sick, twisted and probably illogical. But you know, I guess that he rather does not want to face the most powerful army in the world – said the ambassador. He added that Putin knows that the only large source of income is currently gas and oil exports, including to China, India and Brazil, and if Trump imposes sanctions and duties on this export, This “it could really undermine his ability to finance this war.”
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Putin will get an ultimatum from Trump?
Whitaker's words stand in some contrast with what Trump said so far. The US President confirmed on Sunday that he would impose new sanctions, and claimed earlier that India had already decided to leave Russian oil – but he added that he did not know how much this movement would affect Russia.
When asked about The mission of the presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, who is to go to talks with Putin to Moscow on Wednesday or Thursday, Whitaker said that Trump's advisor would submit Putin an ultimatum.
– This ultimatum will consist in the fact that you need to introduce a ceasefire. It's time to stop killing. This is what President Trump really wants. No more killing 1000 soldiers almost every day, he said. He added that Trump believes that ultimately the war can be ended only through diplomacy.
