President Donald Trump has repeatedly boasted about his “great relationship” with Vladimir Putin. However, the international community watches skeptically to see if this supposed connection will have any real impact on the Ukraine conflict.
Putin, who led a brutal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, responded in his characteristic evasive style to the US-backed immediate ceasefire proposal from the Trump administration. Instead of outright rejecting it, the Russian leader praised the initiative as “grand and correct” but added a series of conditions unacceptable to Ukraine.
This suggests that Putin is trying to buy time while advancing his military objectives, particularly the possible capture of the Russian region of Kursk, a key bargaining chip in any future negotiations.
Despite his apparent support for Trump’s proposal, Putin demanded guarantees on ceasefire supervision and limits on Ukraine’s rearmament. He also insisted on addressing the “root causes” of the war, a euphemism for his opposition to a democratic government in Kyiv and his desire to reverse NATO’s expansion in Eastern Europe.
Putin’s strategy is not new. Russia has historically used stalling diplomatic tactics to exhaust its interlocutors and gain an advantage in the geopolitical arena. Moscow’s response underscores the difficulty the Trump administration will face if it truly seeks to negotiate a lasting ceasefire.
While Trump pursues a significant diplomatic achievement amid domestic economic troubles, his response to Putin’s delay has been optimistic. “I think we’re going to be in very good shape to get it done. We want to finish this once and for all,” he declared from the Oval Office. However, this enthusiasm contrasts with the reality of the conflict and the skepticism of European allies regarding Russia’s intentions.
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, Admiral James Stavridis, described Putin’s stance as a calculated strategy: “If you put it on a scale between ‘no’ and ‘yes,’ it’s right in the middle.” This suggests that Putin is keeping his options open while continuing to push for his own interests.
Trump, for his part, has shown a more conciliatory attitude toward Putin than toward Zelensky. He reduced intelligence cooperation with Ukraine and temporarily suspended US military aid to pressure Kyiv into accepting his ceasefire demand. Although supplies have been restored, the message was clear: Trump can dictate the course of the war on his terms.
However, the big question is whether Trump will exert the same pressure on Putin now that the Russian leader has set conditions for accepting the ceasefire. Trump has claimed that Putin is interested in ending the conflict, but the Kremlin’s response suggests otherwise.
Among the ruins of a residential building in Konstantinovka, Donetsk Region, Ukraine, which was destroyed by a Russian airstrike on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
The US president has threatened additional sanctions on Russia, but given the limited trade between the two countries and Moscow’s economic ties with China, the impact of these measures could be minimal.
Beyond sanctions, Trump has shown interest in restoring relations with Russia, including the possible reinstatement of Moscow in the G7, a move that would bolster Putin’s global standing.
Throughout his political career, Trump has sparked speculation about his relationship with Russia, although allegations that he acted as a Moscow asset have never been proven. Nevertheless, his rhetoric and actions have raised concerns about his willingness to make significant concessions to Putin.
If the Russian leader were to ask Trump to facilitate Zelensky’s removal as part of a peace deal, how would the US president respond? And if Moscow demanded the withdrawal of NATO troops from Eastern Europe, would Trump yield to these demands?
The key question is whether Trump is negotiating with Putin or if the Russian leader is manipulating him to achieve his own strategic objectives.