With Donald Trump's return to the presidency of the United States, Russian leader Vladimir Putin sees an opportunity to break his international isolation and rehabilitate his image as a statesman. This is reported in an article for The Hill by David Kirichenko, an associate researcher at the Henry Jackson Society, a London-based analytical center.
"Above all, Putin desires that Trump help him restore his status on the global stage. To this end, the Russian leader has cautiously flattered Trump, laying the groundwork for a high-profile meeting that could strengthen his position both domestically and internationally," he notes.
According to Kirichenko, Putin has no choice but to appease Trump. However, as Russia's economy teeters on the brink of collapse, Putin is acting carefully to avoid provoking Trump, who has already hinted at the possibility of tightening sanctions against Russia.
Meanwhile, Russia remains reluctant to engage in direct negotiations with Ukraine and instead seeks talks with America. Trump also aims to act as a mediator in a peace agreement; however, unlike former U.S. President Joe Biden, who emphasized the principle of "Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine," Trump is more inclined to pursue a settlement that prioritizes his own political goals and views on diplomacy, the analyst points out.
In his view, Putin sees Trump's desire for an agreement as an opportunity to insist on terms favorable to Russia, even at the expense of Ukrainian sovereignty and security:
"First and foremost, Putin craves a direct summit with the U.S., excluding Ukraine, to bolster his narrative of Russia as a global superpower. Such negotiations would end his isolation, affirm his claims over Ukraine's sphere of influence, and satisfy his desire to project Russia as an imperialist power deserving of respect on the world stage."
Trump and Putin - News
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin signal that a phone call is likely to take place soon, which could be the first significant step towards negotiations.
The main issue remains whether Ukraine will fully participate in these negotiations and how its interests will be taken into account. Negotiations without Ukrainian representatives risk becoming an attempt to "freeze" the conflict on terms favorable to the Kremlin but unacceptable to Kyiv.
Additionally, Trump has stated that he is having a "very serious" discussion with Russia about ending the war in Ukraine.