The strategy began to unravel when Zelenskyy lost his composure during a provocation by Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office. Now, however, the plan is back on course, and Moscow must quickly decide how to handle Trump.
It seems unlikely that Russia’s military leaders will seek any pause at this moment. They have achieved gradual yet steady progress in the eastern Donetsk region and are just a few miles from potentially breaking into the adjacent Dnipropetrovsk region.
This weekend, they made a notable advancement in the Kursk region, nearing the encirclement of approximately 10,000 elite Ukrainian soldiers defending occupied territory in Russia. According to Ukrainian military intelligence, Russian commanders are also preparing to ramp up their ballistic missile and drone strikes, with predictions that Moscow can now conduct simultaneous assaults involving 500 drones.
Thus, it is hardly straightforward for Putin to instruct his generals that it is time for a ceasefire. He must also be concerned about Trump’s response if he disregards Washington and continues the war unabated.
The Russian newspaper Kommersant reported on Wednesday that the Kremlin’s stance will only become clearer following the anticipated visit of Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, to Moscow.
When this visit is expected to occur remains uncertain. Russian media suggest he will be in Russia soon, possibly ahead of a phone conversation between Trump and Putin on Friday; however, Kremlin spokesperson Peskov dismissed claims of Witkoff’s imminent arrival.
Based on Putin’s approach to previous diplomatic engagements with the Americans in recent years, particularly regarding Syria and Ukraine, it is likely he will choose to prolong discussions, raising various objections and putting forth a series of perplexing counterproposals.
Putin often presents his arguments with a tone more akin to sorrowful crocodile tears than a confrontational stance, yet he must tread carefully. Trump is solely focused on securing his deal and is not fond of anyone hindering his progress.
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