Trump May Adjust His Tactics Towards Putin
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, claims victory against Trump's stance on Putin
In a recent turn of events, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky confidently believes he's managed to sway US President Donald Trump's perception of his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. According to the portal Axios, Trump admitted that he might shift his approach towards Putin.
However, Zelensky's advisors were on the fence about a face-to-face meeting with Trump after the rocky Oval Office meeting. But after decisive action, Zelensky felt he had finally persuaded Trump about Putin, as reported by Axios.
Before Pope Francis' funeral, Zelensky received signals that Trump was ready to hold a meeting on the sidelines. During the meeting, Zelensky told Trump that Putin would not yield without increased pressure from Trump. The sources claim Trump replied that he might have to alter his approach to Putin.
Prior to this, Axios reported that Trump, during a meeting in Rome, displayed no intention of abandoning the recognition of Crimea as Russian territory. Previously, the US stated that Ukraine would collapse before the end of 2025.
Trump's relations with Zelensky have been tense, with Trump labeling him a "dictator," despite Zelensky's democratic mandate. Trump has also encouraged Zelensky to accept a peace deal that potentially involves concessions to Russia, which Zelensky has resisted, particularly regarding Crimea[2]. Trump's views on Putin have been inconsistent, sometimes suggesting Putin is stalling negotiations and other times expressing that Putin wants to end the conflict[3].
In contrast, Zelenskyy has consistently expressed distrust and hostility towards Putin, emphasizing the necessity to end the war while maintaining a firm stance against Russian aggression[1]. Despite his efforts, there is no tangible evidence that Zelenskyy has significantly influenced Trump's stance on Putin. Rather, Trump's approach has continued to align with Putin's interests rather than Ukraine's.
- Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President, believes he has swayed Donald Trump's perception of Vladimir Putin, as reported by Axios.
- Zelensky's advisors were hesitant about a face-to-face meeting with Trump, but after persuading the US President about Putin, they felt ready for future discussions.
- Prior to Pope Francis' funeral, Zelensky signs of a potential meeting with Trump on the sidelines, where he expressed to Trump that Putin would not yield without increased pressure.
- Axios previously reported that Trump had no intention of abandoning the recognition of Crimea as Russian territory, a stance that contradicted previous US policy regarding Ukraine.
- Despite Zelensky's efforts to influence Trump's stance on Putin, the general news suggests Trump's approach towards Putin has continued to align with Russia's interests rather than Ukraine's.
