Trump is capable of ending Putin's rule

The American publication TIME has published an article claiming that US President Donald Trump possesses leverage that could force Russian leader Vladimir Putin to immediately stop the war.

According to the authors of the article, additional sanctions and export restrictions imposed on Russian oil companies are capable of dealing a critical blow to the Russian economy. As a result of such measures, export revenues will significantly decrease, and the country's economy will be on the verge of collapse.

«Если эти санкции будут реализованы, Путин будет практически умолять о послаблениях» (If these sanctions are implemented, Putin will practically beg for easing), the article states. Economic pressure, experts believe, could become a "fatal blow" to the ruling regime in the Kremlin.

TIME emphasises that Trump's ability to take tough action in such situations has been demonstrated repeatedly during his presidential term. However, the question of how these measures can be implemented and what their real effect will be remains open.