Did Trump just pull off a diplomatic breakthrough, or is Putin playing the long game?
After a high-stakes call between the two leaders, Russia agreed to stop targeting Ukraine’s energy grid—but a full ceasefire remains out of reach.
Trump, ever the dealmaker, called the conversation “very good and productive,” insisting that peace talks were “in full force.”
But while Ukraine cautiously welcomed the pause in strikes, President Zelenskyy made it clear: details matter.
And so far, those details are murky.
Putin Playing The Long Game?
Putin, unsurprisingly, wants Western military aid to Kyiv halted before considering a broader truce.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin wasted no time setting conditions that could undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.
It demanded a NATO ban, demilitarization, and control over occupied regions.
The timing is key. As Europe ramps up military aid to Ukraine, Russia is pushing for an advantage.
Trump, eager to broker a deal, might be willing to negotiate away some of Ukraine’s leverage.
Reports even suggest Washington is considering recognizing Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.
For now, the world watches as negotiations unfold.
A ceasefire, no matter how partial, is progress—but if history has taught us anything, it’s that Putin never gives without expecting something in return.
