Trump's Perspective:

• Trump claimed he urged Putin to end the "bloodbath" in Ukraine.
• He suggested he told Putin if an agreement couldn’t be reached, he’d walk away from negotiations.
• He framed the conversation as positive and believed Putin wants peace.

Criticism of Trump’s Approach:

• Analysts argue Trump showed naïveté and misunderstood the dynamics.
• By saying he'd walk away if talks fail, he may have incentivized Russia to stall.
• Trump also ignores the fact that the U.S. is not a neutral mediator—it is a co-belligerent supporting Ukraine.

Russia’s Consistent Position:

• Putin has not changed his demands: Ukrainian neutrality, Russian control of annexed territories, recognition of Crimea, and "denazification".
• Russian media and officials saw the call as a win, giving them more time while projecting openness to peace.
• The "memorandum" mentioned is seen as a vague tool to stall and delay real negotiations.

Russian Strategy and Sentiment:

• Russia is in no rush to end the war without securing strategic goals.
• Domestic Russian sentiment opposes making concessions after heavy casualties.
• Officials like Peskov are signaling patience, with no deadlines, implying that talks are more for show.

U.S. and European Misunderstandings:

• Western leaders are accused of misjudging Russia’s intentions and resilience.
• Europe wants influence in postwar Ukraine, which Russia will not allow.
• Putin is seen as willing to drag the conflict out to secure a permanent outcome, unlike the West’s desire for a quick resolution.

Media Commentary:

• Russian media praised Putin’s performance and diplomatic skill.
• U.S. analysts like Jack Keane and J.D. Vance made misinformed or inconsistent statements, showing a poor grasp of Russia's strategy and public sentiment.

Conclusion:

• Russia remains unmoved and strategically consistent.
• Trump’s impatience and misunderstanding of the geopolitical landscape could undermine his credibility.
• Any peace talks that don’t acknowledge Russia’s fundamental conditions are likely to be fruitless or drawn out indefinitely.

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