Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Thursday that President Donald Trump deserves “credit” to enable a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Voldymir Zelenki both expressed openness to a 30-day ceasefire starting Monday. Panetta told “CNN News Central” host Boris Sanchez that Trump needs to “stand strong” against Putin, and that he needs to use “leverage” to end the war. (Related: “I’m watching, I’m watching”: MSNBC guests will be digging the 3-minute airtime for Vance calling Zelenskyy on the carpet)

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“Putin’s key is to make it clear that if he does not accept this ceasefire, the US is trying to provide military aid,” Panetta said. “We provide intelligence. We provide support to Ukraine so they can continue the battle, and Russia will pay that price. That’s the hand the president has. And hopefully he will exercise it because it’s leverage.”

Trump suspended aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine after Zelensky clashed with Trump and Vice President JD Vance at a February 28 meeting in the oval office. If Putin refused to agree to negotiations for peace, Trump threatened further sanctions on Friday.

“This is a presidential test. Whether he stands strong in doing the right thing or if he falls into a cave with Putin, that will be the question. And I hope he stands strong. He was able to negotiate the possibility of a clean ceasefire. That’s his achievement,” Panetta said. “He can’t engage in a series of negotiations on many other issues that have to be left to the parties all of the time. If he starts that process now, it will undermine his ability to get a ceasefire right now.”

“What the president has to make clear to Putin is that he has the opportunity to embrace a ceasefire now,” Panetta added. “It’s going to stop the killing. Do that and then negotiate on a long-term issue.”

The US has Sent On February 24, 2022, Russia exceeded more than $174 billion in aid to Ukraine, including the M1 Abram Stank, MIM-104 Patriot surface missiles, long-range missiles and dual-purpose improved conventional ammunition shells of the M864.

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