The left has been making many claims about Trump and Putin, completely misreading the situation, of course.

What Trump has been doing is avoiding taking shots at the man to try to get him to the bargaining table. Those were the carrots. Now the sticks are coming out:

<Based on the fact that Russia is absolutely “pounding” Ukraine on the battlefield right now, I am strongly considering large scale Banking Sanctions, Sanctions, and Tariffs on Russia until a Cease Fire and FINAL SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT ON PEACE IS REACHED. To Russia and Ukraine, get to the table right now, before it is too late. Thank you!!!

Indeed. Woo them at first, then issue some threats.

And what do you know. The Russkies are thinking maybe it's time to talk:

msn.com - Putin is said to be ready to agree ukraine truce with conditions

Russia is willing to discuss a temporary truce in Ukraine provided there is progress toward a final peace settlement, according to people familiar with the matter in Moscow.

In the first signal of a positive response from President Vladimir Putin to US counterpart Donald Trump’s call for a ceasefire, the offer was conveyed at last month’s talks in Saudi Arabia between top Russian and American officials, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing internal policy.

In order to agree to a cessation of hostilities, there would have to be a clear understanding about the framework principles of the final peace accord, two people with knowledge of the matter said. Russia will insist in particular on establishing the parameters of an eventual peacekeeping mission, including agreement on which countries would take part, said another person familiar with the issue.

That last bit is standard diplomatic boilerplate stuff.

WHY might the Russians be suddenly interested in ramping things down? There are a few answers to that. Two of them are:
1. It's definitely not in Russia's interest for the Euros to suddenly turn their weapons factories back on
2. The US is now exporting LNG at record rates...and that means Europe doesn't need to buy the from Russkies anymore

So being more broke than they already are AND potentially staring down the barrels of more European guns is likely contributing to Putin being a little more...motivated...to come to the table.