Can a Baltic Maritime Strategy Force Putin to the Negotiating Table?

As the possibility of a second Trump presidency looms, security analysts are proposing a bold, new strategy for resolving the war in Ukraine: a U.S.-led air and maritime pressure campaign in the Baltic region. This plan seeks to leverage American military and economic superiority to disrupt Russian supply lines, effectively raising the cost of the conflict for the Kremlin. Unlike previous approaches centered on incremental aid and passive sanctions, this strategy emphasizes coercive diplomacy through a reinforced presence in the Baltic Sea. By choking off illicit trade and demonstrating an uncompromising commitment to regional security, the proposal aims to force Vladimir Putin to rethink his strategic calculus. While critics warn of the risks of escalation, proponents argue that the current status quo is unsustainable and that a more assertive, transactional posture is the only way to compel Moscow to enter meaningful negotiations. This article explores the geopolitical dynamics, the potential for economic impact, and the distinct 'America First' logic behind this provocative regional security pivot.