Just one week into his presidency, U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at his approach to U.S. sanctions on Russia. First, Trump is no stranger to using sanctions and other coercive economic tools.

Does the new US administration have sufficient economic leverage over Russia to force it to make peace, or at least talk about peace?

Sikorski believes that Budapest changed its mind after Trump called Russian dictator Vladimir Putin as an aggressor and threatened Moscow with sanctions if it did not engage in peace talks. It was the new US president's first clear position on Russia's war against Ukraine.

President Trump jabs at the Russian leader with threats; Vladimir Putin responds with flattery. But there are notable signals in their jousting, including a revived discussion about nuclear arms control.

Ukrainian President issues demand to US President after Vladimir Putin states Moscow is ‘ready for negotiations’