Trump's Perspective:
- Trump claimed he urged Putin to end the "bloodbath" in Ukraine.
- He suggested he told Putin if an agreement couldn’t be reached, he’d walk away from negotiations.
- He framed the conversation as positive and believed Putin wants peace.
Criticism of Trump’s Approach:
- Analysts argue Trump showed naïveté and misunderstood the dynamics.
- By saying he'd walk away if talks fail, he may have incentivized Russia to stall.
- Trump also ignores the fact that the U.S. is not a neutral mediator—it is a co-belligerent supporting Ukraine.
Russia’s Consistent Position:
- Putin has not changed his demands: Ukrainian neutrality, Russian control of annexed territories, recognition of Crimea, and "denazification".
- Russian media and officials saw the call as a win, giving them more time while projecting openness to peace.
- The "memorandum" mentioned is seen as a vague tool to stall and delay real negotiations.
Russian Strategy and Sentiment:
- Russia is in no rush to end the war without securing strategic goals.
- Domestic Russian sentiment opposes making concessions after heavy casualties.
- Officials like Peskov are signaling patience, with no deadlines, implying that talks are more for show.
U.S. and European Misunderstandings:
- Western leaders are accused of misjudging Russia’s intentions and resilience.
- Europe wants influence in postwar Ukraine, which Russia will not allow.
- Putin is seen as willing to drag the conflict out to secure a permanent outcome, unlike the West’s desire for a quick resolution.
Media Commentary:
- Russian media praised Putin’s performance and diplomatic skill.
- U.S. analysts like Jack Keane and J.D. Vance made misinformed or inconsistent statements, showing a poor grasp of Russia's strategy and public sentiment.
Conclusion:
- Russia remains unmoved and strategically consistent.
- Trump’s impatience and misunderstanding of the geopolitical landscape could undermine his credibility.
- Any peace talks that don’t acknowledge Russia’s fundamental conditions are likely to be fruitless or drawn out indefinitely.
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