Vladimir Putin and his inner circle in Russia might soon be regretting the mockery directed at President Donald Trump.
During a recent summit in Alaska, Putin seemed to ignite a flicker of hope for a peace agreement regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, but some are wary it might just be another empty promise.
Initially, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, hinted at possible discussions, but then quickly dampened any enthusiasm regarding a face-to-face meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Lavrov bluntly stated, “the meeting is not planned.”
He added that the overall agenda remains “not ready at all.” For Ukraine to further the conversation, it must publicly affirm its reluctance to join NATO, while Zelensky must revoke laws banning anything ‘Russian.’ Acknowledging “territorial issues” was also a vague requirement that Lavrov outlined.
Interestingly, he suggested that Zelensky isn’t considered a “legal” president, though they still recognize him as the de facto leader.
Lavrov, along with others in Russia, claims they are unable to deploy European troops to maintain peace in Ukraine, insisting on holding veto power over any postwar security guarantees for Kyiv.
They’re also pressing Ukraine to agree to cede significant portions of the Donbass region, which Putin has sought to control since 2014.
This dissonance contradicts remarks made by Vice President JD Vance, who suggested that Putin had made commitments during discussions in Anchorage.
All along, since the beginning of the invasion, Putin has maintained a narrative about dismantling a so-called “neo-Nazi” regime in Kyiv, even though Zelensky is Jewish—a rather puzzling assertion. If Putin were genuinely invested in fostering a lasting peace, he might reconsider these inflammatory claims.
Instead, he appears to be taunting both Zelensky and Trump, with the US President gradually making his frustration known. Trump commented recently about the challenges of winning a war without attacking the invading country, hinting that Washington might provide Kyiv with the means to strike deep into Russia.
It’s not just about military aid; the entire framework of sanctions, which has significantly hampered the Russian economy, looms large, alongside threats that Trump has floated in the past.
After the Alaska meeting, Trump clearly expressed that Putin had about two weeks to engage directly with Zelensky for a substantial peace dialogue.
However, it seems that time is slipping away, as Russia’s stance continues to suggest that they’ll only engage if Ukraine capitulates first.
This dynamic evokes a sense that Putin is practicing “The Art of the no-deal,” seemingly content to treat Trump as naive for believing any pledges made during the summit.
Ultimately, Russia seems to think that by undermining the leader of the free world, they’ll gain an advantage. It’s going to be interesting—if not messy—when Trump decides to try and correct that impression.
