Putin Enters Trump Call Confident, As Europe Fears a Rushed Ukraine Deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for a high-stakes phone call with the U.S. President Donald Trump, confident that his military campaign in Ukraine is gaining momentum, and that he holds a strong negotiating position. European leaders, meanwhile, are scrambling to ensure Trump doesn’t rush into a deal that could undercut Ukraine’s sovereignty.
The Gaze reports on this with reference to Bloomberg.
According to a source familiar with the Kremlin’s internal discussions, Putin believes Russian forces will soon achieve a breakthrough in Ukraine, potentially seizing full control of four contested regions, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, by the end of the year. This perceived advantage has reinforced his unwillingness to offer significant concessions during his upcoming conversation with Trump.
Trump, for his part, has signaled determination to personally negotiate an end to the Russian-Ukrainian war. Yet, Western politicians remain skeptical. “There’s little incentive for Russia to agree to a ceasefire right now,” said Michael Kofman of the Carnegie Endowment.
European analysts remain unconvinced of Russia’s ability to fulfill its battlefield ambitions. “Given the scale of losses and limited operational capacity, it’s unlikely Russia can fully occupy those four regions this year,” said Ben Barry of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
On Friday in Istanbul, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators met in person for the first time in three years. The Russian side issued sweeping demands, including the complete withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from the regions Putin claims – territories where Russian control remains partial at best.
In Washington, pressure is building on Trump to act decisively. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the administration has repeatedly warned Moscow that sanctions are imminent without progress. A new sanctions bill drafted by Senator Lindsey Graham could be pushed forward depending on the outcome of the Putin-Trump call.
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