Can Putin’s Appeal Draw Trump Closer to the Kremlin?
Diplomatic timing is crucial, and Russia’s Kremlin seems to have exploited this effectively with a recent call to the White House. This interaction comes at a pivotal moment as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to meet Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington. Trump is considering supplying Kyiv with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, a move with potential implications for U.S.-Russian relations.
Can Putin’s Appeal Draw Trump Closer to the Kremlin?
Russian representatives described the phone call as “positive and productive,” lasting nearly two and a half hours. President Vladimir Putin aimed to deter discussions on U.S. weapon supplies to Ukraine, emphasizing that Tomahawk missiles, which can target key Russian cities, would harm diplomatic relations without gaining significant battlefield advantages.
The Diplomatic Conversation
During the call, Putin regarded Trump as a peacemaker, especially in the Middle East, and proposed further economic cooperation. A future summit between the two leaders in Budapest, Hungary, was also agreed upon, where the ongoing Ukraine conflict could be revisited.
- The planned Budapest summit invites comparisons to the prior Alaska meeting, which ended without success regarding Ukraine peace.
- Recent events saw Trump mediate a ceasefire in Gaza and release Israeli hostages.
Challenges to Peace in Ukraine
Despite talks, Russia appears steadfast in its objectives, aiming to control annexed Ukrainian territories fully. The Kremlin continues to impose military and policy restrictions on Ukraine, seeking to bring Kyiv under Moscow’s influence.
The phone call offered no indication of any change in Russia’s stance. Yet, over the past months, the Kremlin has leveraged personal engagement strategies with the Trump administration, avoiding direct compromises.
Military and Strategic Calculations
Ukrainian officials in Washington believe discussions on Tomahawk missiles prompted Putin’s return to dialogue. Meanwhile, Russian calculations suggest that enticing Trump with potential diplomatic progress might deter him from military actions.
