In brief
After a two-hour conversation between Trump and Putin, Russian outlets declare a victory for Moscow, noting that no major concessions were made by the Kremlin regarding Ukraine.
Russian media are celebrating a diplomatic win following the latest telephone conversation between Presidents Trump and Putin, reflecting a sense of triumph in Moscow. Major outlets like Izvestia proclaimed, "Putin and Trump agreed to work together on Ukraine resolution," while Komsomolskaya Pravda noted the "record-long Putin-Trump call." These headlines suggest that the Kremlin interprets the call as a success, as there were no significant concessions demanded from President Putin regarding Ukraine.The two-hour discussion yielded no pressure on Russia to agree to an immediate unconditional ceasefire, which Trump had proposed. Instead, Putin dismissed this notion and presented his own preconditions for peace. These conditions include terminating Western military aid to Ukraine and halting mobilization efforts in the country, which many analysts view as measures aimed at compelling Ukraine into capitulation.The U.S. response to the call was surprisingly complimentary, with Trump stating it was a "great call" and commending Putin's actions during their discussion. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the call advanced the prospect of a final peace deal.Putin's refusal to accept the ceasefire and instead articulating his terms raises questions about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine. Could the Trump administration be swayed into accepting these demands, possibly even considering pressuring Kyiv into compliance? Moscow seems to be banking on the notion that strengthening economic ties with the U.S. may take precedence over Ukraine's defense.In line with this strategy, Russian officials are already hinting at potential economic collaborations in sectors like aluminium production and rare minerals mining, possibly luring the U.S. with the promise of beneficial trade opportunities. Trump has acknowledged these prospects, indicating his interest in expanding trade with Russia.The Kremlin's logic appears to focus on making U.S.-Russia relations too advantageous to sever, thus steering American interests toward prioritizing economic gain over Ukrainian security. Following Ukraine's recent agreement to a ceasefire, the U.S. had declared that the next move rested with Russia. Now that Putin has set his own terms, the diplomatic ball has returned to Washington's court, leaving the future of the U.S.-Russia dynamic, and, more crucially, Ukraine's fate, in a precarious balance. Diplomatic discussions are set to continue, potentially shaping Trump's subsequent decisions in the coming days.
