David Kramer, the executive director of the George W. Bush Institute and a former senior U.S. State Department official, stated that tightening economic sanctions on Russia is the primary method to end the war in Ukraine. In an interview with PBS NewsHour, Kramer emphasized that pressure must be directed at President Vladimir Putin rather than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to achieve a resolution.
The comments come amid fluctuating diplomatic relations between Washington and Kyiv. Kramer noted that while critical U.S. intelligence sharing has been restored following recent disruptions, the overall relationship remains strained. He highlighted that Russia has continued its strikes on Ukrainian civilian targets during periods of diplomatic uncertainty, citing the loss of Ukrainian lives as a direct consequence of the war initiated by Moscow in 2014 and expanded in 2022.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive voices and Democratic lawmakers have generally aligned with Kramer’s assessment that Russian aggression is the root cause of the conflict. They argue that the U.S. must maintain robust support for Ukraine to uphold international norms and democratic values, viewing the war as a direct result of Putin’s refusal to negotiate and his desire to destroy Ukraine’s identity.
Advocates for continued aid emphasize that Ukraine has demonstrated flexibility in seeking an end to the war, whereas Russia has refused to negotiate in good faith. They contend that supporting Ukraine serves U.S. national interests by weakening a strategic adversary and protecting European security, noting that Americans support Ukraine according to surveys.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative perspectives on the war vary, with some factions within the Republican Party advocating for a more transactional approach to U.S. foreign policy. Kramer acknowledged a 'major change' in Republican foreign policy under President Trump’s 'America First' doctrine, which places priority on different issues than traditional conservative principles of resisting aggression.
Critics on the right often argue that the U.S. should focus more on domestic concerns and reduce international entanglements. Some rhetoric coming out of Washington suggests that the war is Ukraine’s fault, with claims that Zelenskyy and Ukraine refused to end the conflict, despite Kramer’s assertion that it is Putin who refuses to end the war he started.
What the Numbers Show
The U.S. Senate passed the Lindsey Graham legislation calling for more sanctions on Russia by a vote of 86-11, according to Kramer. This significant margin indicates broad legislative support for economic pressure on Moscow. Additionally, the House of Representatives passed the measure by a 'sizable margin,' though specific vote counts were not detailed in the interview.
Kramer cited surveys indicating that Americans support Ukraine, though he did not provide specific percentage figures. The data on military aid shows that the U.S. has previously imposed sanctions on major Russian energy companies Lukoil and Rosneft, which Kramer noted helped improve relations briefly. The disruption in intelligence sharing, including Starlink and Starshield services, was linked to a period where Ukrainian forces suffered increased casualties, highlighting the tangible impact of policy shifts on the battlefield.
The Bottom Line
Kramer’s analysis suggests that the path to ending the war lies in increasing economic and military pressure on Russia. He outlined specific measures, including targeting Russia’s shadow fleet used to fund its war effort, sanctioning more Russian banks and companies, and resuming military assistance. He warned that discussions between President Trump, Putin, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping about Ukraine without Ukrainian participation would be unacceptable to Kyiv.
The coming weeks will test whether the recent restoration of intelligence sharing leads to a durable diplomatic track or another cycle of tension. Kramer urged policymakers to recognize that Putin’s goal is to diminish Ukrainian sovereignty and identity, making concessions from Ukraine alone insufficient. The effectiveness of tightened sanctions and resumed aid remains a critical factor in determining whether the conflict moves toward resolution or prolonged stalemate.