Edith Hejberg
Trump reportedly made six personal calls to Putin, hoping to broker peace. But after each call, Russia continued its strikes, even hitting civilian targets.
Despite Donald Trump’s sharp shift in tone, arming Ukraine and threatening sanctions, Vladimir Putin appears largely unfazed.
Kremlin insiders say Moscow always expected relations with the U.S. would sour eventually, even if Trump’s return to power initially raised hopes of renewed cooperation.
War Goals Trump Diplomacy
Sources close to the Kremlin say Putin’s commitment to the Ukraine war has always taken precedence over any potential diplomatic thaw. Even amid disappointment over Trump’s change of course,
Russian officials insist the war is “existential” for Putin and that no foreign relationship, including one with Washington, would ever come first.
Kremlin Keeps Public Cool, But Internally Resigned
Though Putin hasn’t publicly responded to Trump’s threats, and Russian officials have avoided direct criticism, insiders describe a blend of frustration and resignation.
The shift didn’t catch them off guard, they always suspected the U.S. would eventually revert to supplying arms and increasing pressure.
Early Signs of Hope in Trump’s Second Term
When Trump re-entered the White House and promised to end the war in “24 hours,” Moscow saw an opening.
His combative Oval Office exchange with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy even seemed to signal a weakening U.S. commitment to Kyiv. But the optimism was short-lived.
The Turning Point: Sanctions and Patriot Missiles
The illusion of détente collapsed last week when Trump expressed fury over Putin’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire.
He backed Ukraine with a major arms deal, including Patriot missile systems and issued a 50-day deadline for Russia to make peace, or face sweeping new sanctions.
A Blow to Trump’s Ego, But Not Putin’s Strategy
Trump reportedly made six personal calls to Putin, hoping to broker peace. But after each call, Russia continued its strikes, even hitting civilian targets.
Trump felt personally snubbed. Meanwhile, Kremlin insiders believe Putin underestimated how seriously Trump would take the apparent defiance.
Moscow Sees Trump as Volatile—And Still Useful
Despite the tough rhetoric, some Russian officials downplayed the fallout. Trump’s 50-day ultimatum, they argued, is more of a grace period than a red line.
They view him as “emotional and influenceable,” suggesting they’re not writing off the relationship just yet.
Russia Doubles Down on the Battlefield
Putin has responded to U.S. pressure not with retreat, but escalation. Drone swarms, intensified airstrikes on Ukrainian cities, and a slow push toward key locations like Pokrovsk show a regime determined to solidify its gains before any diplomatic reckoning.
Peace Requires Concessions Ukraine Won’t Accept
Putin’s demands for peace include NATO retreating from Eastern Europe, Ukrainian neutrality, restrictions on Kyiv’s military, and acceptance of Russian territorial control.
These conditions effectively gut Ukraine’s sovereignty—terms that neither Ukraine nor the West is likely to endorse.
Hawks Rising, Doves Marginalized in Moscow
While some in Moscow hoped Trump might usher in economic relief and normalized ties, that faction has been sidelined. A more militant wing now dominates, with figures like Alexander Dugin declaring the U.S. a direct combatant in the war. As Dugin warned ominously: “Time is running out.”
