Kremlin expresses difficulty in meeting Trump's expectations
Achieving peace in Ukraine might be a tough nut to crack for the US.
Donald Trump, now the President of the USA, promised to put an end to the Ukraine War swiftly before his election. However, his peace attempts have yet to bear fruit, as Vladimir Putin keeps maneuvering for time.
Trump: "Putin wants peace," Trump claimed
The Kremlin spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, admitted that Russia aims to win the conflict in Ukraine. "What we're doing - the special military operation, all the decisions (of President Vladimir) Putin - are absolutely correct. And it is our duty to be victorious," Peskow reportedly said in Moscow.
Appreciative of the US's efforts towards peace, Russia is open to direct consultations with Ukraine. Yet, Kyiv has remained silent so far. Putin seems willing to negotiate with Ukraine and works relentlessly with the US. But, the complexity of the conflict makes the rapid progress desired by the US challenging. Moscow continues to press for the recognition of the four annexed Ukrainian regions.
Experts have their doubts about Putin's genuine interest in peace efforts. For instance, Putin declared a 72-hour ceasefire for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, which Ukraine dismissed as a theatrical gesture rather than a genuine peace initiative. Experts note this follows previous failed truces and question trust in Moscow’s commitments.
Moreover, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has outlined conditions including the recognition of five occupied Ukrainian provinces, Ukrainian neutrality, army demilitarization, and "denazification." These terms are seen as surrender demands that no Ukrainian government could accept.
Despite ceasefire declarations, Russian military aggression on civilian areas persists, as the US and Europe continue to supply Ukraine as its primary backers. Analysts suggest that Putin faces no domestic pressure to end the war, enabling a persistent attrition strategy.
While the Trump administration has urged for a 30-day ceasefire accepted by Ukraine, Russia's insistence on linking truces to halting Western arms supplies and Ukrainian mobilization remains a significant obstacle. Recent meetings between US and Russian officials have failed to bridge this gap so far.
- Despite the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Ukraine, Trump claimed that Putin wants peace.
- Although the Kremlin spokesman, Peskov, admitted Russia's aim to win the conflict in Ukraine, he also indicated that Russia is grateful for the US's efforts towards peace and is ready for direct consultations with Ukraine.
- However, the complexity of the conflict and the general-news of continued Russian military aggression on civilian areas, coupled with the insistence on certain conditions by Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, make rapid progress towards peace elusive.
- The US, Europe, and other international analysts question Putin's genuine interest in peace efforts, citing past failed truces and the persistent attrition strategy, which suggests Putin faces no domestic pressure to bring an end to the war.
