As Ukraine watchers are mulling today whether Russia’s President Vladimir Putin will indeed travel to Istanbul this week for face-to-face talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, William Taylor, former top US envoy to Ukraine, urges the Western allies to “hold the line” and to consider imposing serious sanctions on Russia’s oil and banking sectors if the Kremlin leader does not show up or agree to a 30-day ceasefire.
“It takes some work to put on those sanctions, but that work should start rather now,” Taylor, who served as chargé d’affaires at the US Embassy in Kyiv during Donald Trump’s first term, and as the US Ambassador to Ukraine under both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, said in an interview with Kyiv Post on Monday.
According to him, the US policy toward Ukraine should aim to end the war by continuing to demand a 30-day ceasefire and punishing Moscow if it resists.
“If the Russians do not come to the table and agree on a 30-day ceasefire, and drag out these discussions, or indeed, don’t even show up in Turkey on Thursday, then it’s their choice and the West should respond accordingly with serious sanctions,” Ambassador Taylor said, adding any breakthrough this week “really depends on Putin.”
He went on to elaborate: “Putin can either show up and negotiate in good faith - which is unlikely for him to do, but that’s one choice he’s got, or not show up and make it clear to the Americans and Europeans and Ukrainians that he’s not eager to see a ceasefire or move toward peace. So it’s up to Putin to demonstrate if he’s sincere.”
Taylor also recommended that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirm Washington’s full support for NATO and Ukraine when he meets with top NATO diplomats this week. Rubio is currently accompanying President Trump in the Middle East, but as Kyiv Post reported earlier, he will be headed to Antalya tomorrow to attend NATO foreign ministers’ informal gathering on Ukraine and other key subjects.
On Monday, Rubio spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, thanked Ankara for hosting and facilitating Russian and Ukrainian direct negotiations, and welcomed the possibility of an immediate ceasefire, the State Department stated. They also discussed the upcoming NATO Informal Ministerial in Antalya.
Rubio also spoke this morning with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas, said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
“The leaders discussed the way forward for a ceasefire and path to peace in Ukraine,” the Department said in a readout of the call.
Ambassador Taylor said the West’s unified stance against Russia would only increase US and European leverage.
He also asserts that Washington is currently “in a stronger position” to influence Moscow than five or six years ago, citing Russia’s weaker military, economy, and international standing.
Ambassador Taylor said the outcome of the Istanbul talks depends on Putin’s willingness to negotiate in good faith, and NATO allies should not shy away from taking a stronger stance against the Kremlin.