A phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin is expected soon. Currently, both sides are standing firm on their positions. Reports TCN. This was reported by Kontrakty.UA.
This is also noted by The Washington Post.
In Moscow, there are expectations that Trump will reach out to Putin in the coming days; however, Russian officials have taken a tough stance on the war in Ukraine. They are lowering expectations for any significant breakthroughs in U.S.-Russia relations.
"It Will Only Get Worse"
Amid Russia's military successes and speculation that Trump may cut military aid to Ukraine, confidence is growing in Moscow that more Ukrainian territory can be seized and Kyiv can be forced to make concessions.
"In spring, the conditions for ending the war are not ripe yet," said Sergey Markov, a pro-Kremlin analyst. "But by autumn, as Trump reduces funding and the Russian army makes further progress, there may be better political conditions by then."
Trump himself advocates for a swift end to the war. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, he stated: "Our efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution between Russia and Ukraine are, I hope, ongoing. It is very important to do this."
Previously, Donald Trump warned via Truth Social about imposing "high levels of taxes, tariffs, and sanctions on everything Russia sells to the United States" if Putin does not agree to a peace deal with Ukraine.
"I will do a great service to Russia, whose economy is declining, and President Putin. Settle now and stop this senseless war! It will only get worse," he added.
What They're Saying in the Kremlin
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov noted that Moscow sees the possibility of reaching an agreement with Trump’s administration. However, experts say such agreements would require radical changes in European security, including a neutral status for Ukraine and NATO's withdrawal from infrastructure near the eastern borders. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov stated that peace must be "lasting and based on respect for our objective interests."
Some Russian officials, like Nikolai Patrushev, even predict the disintegration of Ukraine and Moldova. "For Patrushev, there is no other way but for Ukraine to become friendly to us: they capitulate and accept all our demands – or they fall apart," noted analyst Tatyana Stanovaya.
Dmitry Trenina, in his articles for the pro-Kremlin publication "Profil", argues that Kyiv's capitulation is unacceptable to the West, so the fighting will continue. "For Moscow, anything less than a complete victory means defeat, and such an outcome is simply not an option," he wrote.
At the same time, many in Moscow view Trump as an unconventional politician from whom surprises can be expected. Some hope he will reduce military aid to Ukraine, and his administration may facilitate rapprochement with Russia.
Despite this, skepticism remains. "They are not seeking negotiations for the sake of negotiations. In Washington, in the West, they are looking for an understanding that Ukraine has lost the war," said Stanovaya.
The main risk for Putin is that Trump may increase economic pressure, for instance, through lowering oil prices or imposing new sanctions. In his statements, Trump emphasized: "He must make a deal. I think he is destroying Russia by not making a deal."
In Moscow, there are hopes that the planned phone call will open opportunities for dialogue, but a compromise regarding Ukraine remains unlikely.
Recall that Trump responded on how he would act if Putin does not end the war in Ukraine.