Russian President Vladimir Putin is facing “mounting pressure” as Ukraine steps up its counteroffensive and key international partners discreetly distance themselves from Moscow, according to Hoover Institution Senior Fellow Victor Davis Hanson.
Speaking on Fox News’ “The Bottom Line” on Friday, Hanson suggested that a recent move by President Donald Trump to impose sweeping sanctions on two of Russia’s largest oil companies has already intensified global financial strain on Moscow. This action followed months of stalled peace negotiations and appears to be having immediate effects on Russia’s economic lifeline.
Hanson noted that the financial ramifications of the sanctions are already starting to be felt, even by major global consumers of Russian energy. He stated that he believes “the pressure is already starting to mount” and added that India and China are “stealthily cutting back on their imports.”
According to Hanson, these nations are anticipating the “financial punishment that will ensue” from maintaining deep trade ties with Russia. The senior fellow concluded that Russia is now “starting to run out of money, not men, but money,” a significant shift that he believes could mark a turning point in the war.
Adding to Russia’s woes is Ukraine’s successful escalation of drone warfare, which Hanson claims has quietly reshaped the battlefield. He observed that Ukraine has “really expanded their drone attacks,” a development that has been “under the news.”
These strikes have reportedly crippled approximately 25% of Russia’s refined gasoline production, a substantial blow to Moscow’s domestic energy supply. Hanson also noted that President Trump is “greenlighting” this increased aggression and is “holding out the specter” of providing Ukraine with long-range offensive capabilities, such as Tomahawk missiles. While acknowledging this move would be “dangerous,” Hanson suggested it would be “very effective” and would mark a “clear escalation.”
The shifting diplomatic landscape underscores the intensifying dynamics. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Trump at the White House in October, where a potential trade agreement was discussed, and Trump affirmed that achieving peace remained his priority over immediately supplying Ukraine with Tomahawk missiles.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump held a phone call with President Putin to discuss the situation on the ground. Despite earlier suggestions of a potential in-person summit, Trump recently confirmed he has “no plans” to meet with Putin. Hanson concluded that the combination of escalating Ukrainian attacks and mounting financial pressure from the international community signals a significant “turning point” in the war.
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